HISTORY 


OF  THE 


TOWN    OF   LYNNFIELD,   MASS. 


^koWuCS  ^  ^Ma^ 


OkAA-. 


HISTORY 


of  the 


Town  of  Lyiinfield,  Mass. 


1635^-189^ 


^bomas  3B.  TiaeUman 


^^ 


"  Historic  names  forever  greet  us 

Where'er  our  wandering  way  may  lead, 
Familiar  forms  and  faces  meet  us 
As  living  walk  with  us  the  dead. 

**  Man's  fame,  so  often  evanescent, 

Links  here  with  thoughts  that  last; 
And  all  the  bright  and  teeming  present 
Thrills  with  the  great  and  glorious  past." 


'^^ 


Published  and  Illustrated  bv 

THE    BLANCHARD    &    WATTS    ENGRAVING    CO. 

36  Columbus  Avenue,  Boston,  Mass. 


LOAN  STACK 


Afru 


PREFACE. 


We  love  to  trace  the  mossy  stones 

That  tell  of  those  of  other  days, 
The  friends  that  kindred  owns, 

So  worthy  of  our  highest  praise ; 
To  read  the  rolls  of  parchment  old; 

Their  ancient  seal  and  sign, 
Sometimes  trembling,  sometimes  bold, 

Penned  in  "  days  of  auld  lang  syne." 

To  see  how  willing  they  were 

To  work  for  others  after, 
No  hope  of  gain  could  them  deter, 

No  sneer  or  scornful  laughter; 
But  patriots,  heroes,  sages. 

And  some  did  all  combine. 
They  toiled  for  future  ages, 

In  the  "  days  of  auld  lang  syne." 

We  love  to  see  the  humble,  mossy  roof 

That  sheltered  them  and  was  their  home, 
Where  peace  not  always  plenty  proof. 

They  worked  for  days  and  years  to  come  — 
The  homes  for  which  they  fought  and  died, 

The  home  of  corn  and  fruit  and  wine, 
The  home  they  left  beyond  the  tide. 

In  the  "  days  of  auld  lang  syne." 

Should  any  ask  why  this  book  is  written,  the  writer  would 
answer  that  he  has  ahvays  since  he  can  remember  loved  to  collect 
facts  of  this  kind,  and  finding  many  others  would  like  those  facts, 
with  a  desire  to  gratify  friends,  as  well  as  save  these  from  oblivion, 
they  are  now  published. 

If  my  reader  wishes  a  literary  production  I  beg  of  him  to  drop 
the  book,  but  if  he  wishes  to  see  who  have  walked  these  streets. 


*~\^nk.ir\ 


VI  PREFACE. 

who  have  played  within  these  limits,  who  have  been  benefactors 
of  their  race,  who  have  worshipped  God  in  these  temples,  who 
have  received  instructions  in  these  schools,  who  have  roamed 
these  fields,  who  have  been  nurtured,  married,  enjoyed  the  joys 
and  sorrows  of  life  within  these  homes,  who  have  gone  afar  off, 
have  died  or  are  still  living,  I  wish  him  pleasure  in  perusing  these 
pages. 

One  who  has  never  undertaken  the  task  can  have  no  just  idea 
of  the  labor  needed.  One  often  has  to  hunt  pages  to  find  perhaps 
a  single  date,  or  go  miles  for  an  item,  but  looking  back  to  other 
days  is  a  great  pleasure,  and  I  confess  to  have  enjoyed  it  much. 

It  is  believed  that  every  village  should  have  its  noteworthy  events 
chronicled  as  well  as  its  neighboring  city.  It  is  really  a  source  of 
satisfaction  to  collect  the  memorials  of  the  worth,  patriotism,  and 
zeal  of  those  who  have  lived  before  us.  It  is  a  satisfaction  to  know 
where  they  whose  blood  flows  in  our  veins,  whose  lands  we  inherit, 
they  who  "sowed  in  tears''  while  "  we  reap  in  joy,"  were  origi- 
nated, to  know  their  toils,  their  pleasures,  to  help  to  keep  their 
memory  green. 

The  wisest  of  men  said,  "Of  making  books  there  is  no  end," 
but  we  know  of  no  kind  of  books  more  instructive  than  histories, 
wherein  are  written  the  virtues  and  failings  of  mortals,  and  we 
sincerely  hope.,  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when  the  histories  of  all 
our  towns  shall  be  written  ere  it  is  too  late. 

In  the  writing  of  this  book  I  have  tried  every  available  source 
to  collect  interesting  items  for  this  work  ere  they  shall  be  irrevoca- 
bly lost.  Among  others,  the  Town  Records  have  had  a  thorough 
scanning,  as  have  all  the  church  and  parish,  school  and  family 
registers,  library,  public  and  private  records,  all  have  been  com- 
pelled to  contribute  to  the  general  fund ;  and  lastly,  but  not 
leastly,  the  good  fathers  and  mothers  of  the  town,  some  now- 
passed  away,  have  been  asked  questions  till  I  dared  do  so  no 
longer.  These  have  told  the  stories  of  their  childhood,  youth,  and 
age :  and  to  all  others  who  have  contributed  a  mite  or  a  pound  are 
extended  the  most  hearty  thanks. 

Nor  should  the  history  of  Lynn,  by  Alonzo  Lewis  and  James  R. 
Newhall,  and  that  of  Reading,  by  Lilly  p:aton,  be  forgotten,  for 


PREFACE.  VI 1 

they  have  furnished  many  an  interesting  sketch  for  this  work. 
And  especial  thanks  are  due  to  those  who  in  so  many  ways  helped 
to  make  this  little  book  what  it  is. 

Who  does  not  love  his  home,  and  who  does  not  love  to  read 
the  facts  thereof,  even  though  he  knew  them  before,  which  is 
not  always  the  case  ?  Many  an  one  will  go  to  a  noted  spring  far 
away,  when  there  is  one  but  a  little  way  from  his  own  home. 
Some  will  visit  other  lands,  and  know  not  what  is  near  their  own 
door.  A  thousand  memories  rise  at  the  sound  of  the  sweet  word 
"  home." 

It  is  hoped  that  this  memorial  will  not  be  the  means  of  lessening 
an  interest  in  our  Lynnfield  homes,  but,  on  the  contrary,  that  it 
will  increase  our  love  and  veneration  for  this  interesting  part  of 
New  England. 

The  thanks  of  the  writer  are  especially  due  to  Dea.  George  E. 
Batchelder,  Rev.  H.  L.  Brickett,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ebenezer  Parsons, 
Mr.  George  H.  S.  Driver,  and  many  others,  whose  help  and  en- 
couragement have  helped  to  lift  the  burden  and  make  the  labor  light. 
Nor  would  I  omit  to  mention  the  young  lady  who  said  she  would 
have  the  history,  if  it  cost  five  hundred  dollars.  Hoping  that 
others  may  enjoy  the  reading  as  much  as  I  have  enjoyed  the 
collecting  of  these  facts,  I  now  present  to  you  the  lirst  completed 
history  of  Lynnfield  in  old  Essex. 

THOMAS    B.  V/ELLMAN. 

Willow  Castle,  Lynnfield  Centre, 
Jan.  I,  1895. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 


ILLUSTRATIONS       .....  xi 

INTRODUCTION        .....  xiii 

CHAPTER    I. 
Topography  of  Lvnxfield    .  .  .  .  i 

CHAPTER    II. 
Ancient  Houses  of  Lynnfield         .  .  .  n 

CHAPTER   III. 
Old  Meeting-House  —  Town  Hall  —  Schools       .  23 

CHAPTER   IV. 
Annals,   i 635-1 700     .....  47 

CHAPTER   V. 
Annals,   i  700-1 800     .  .  .  .  61 


X  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    VI. 
Cemeteries     .... 

CHAPTER   Vn. 
The  Revolutionary  War     . 


PAGE 


79 


103 


CHAPTER   VIII. 
Ecclesiastical  History        .  .  .  .  118 

CHAPTER    IX. 
Date  of  Town,  Etc.  .  .  .  .  138 

CHAPTER   X. 
The  Second  War  with  Great  Britain      .  .  153 

CHAPTER    XL 
War  of  Rebellion,   1S61      .  .  .  .  171 

CHAPTER   XII. 
Families  of  Lyxxfield  .  .  .  .  187 

CHAPTER   XIII. 
Annals,   1800.  ^  .  .  .  .  239 

APPENDIX      .  .  .  .  .  261 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Thomas  B.  Wellman 

Frontispiece 

Oldest  House  in  Town 

Opp. 

page       4 

Mrs.  Clarissa  E.  Cox 

1. 1 

8 

Map  Lynnfield 

10 

Willow  Castle 

Opp. 

12 

Ebenezer  Parsons 

16 

Ramsdell  House 

'       20 

Judge  Stephen  G.  Nash 

24 

Barnjum  House 

'       30 

South  Schoolhouse    . 

'       36 

Schoolhouse  in  1772 

'       Zl 

Town  Hall    .... 

Opp. 

'       40 

Centre  Schoolhouse  . 

'       44 

Jonathan  Bryant 

'       48 

Humphrey's  Pond 

'       52 

Mansfield  House,  Peabody    . 

'       56 

Old  Meeting-House  on  the  Common.  171 5 

'       62 

George  E.  Batchelder 

'       66 

Henry  Law's  Shoe  Factory     . 

74 

Tapley  Tomb,  1820  . 

'       80 

David  Hewes 

'       84 

Centre  Orthodox  Church 

'       88 

Rev.  Jacob  Hood 

'       92 

Hooper  Estate 

'       98 

James  Heaves 

'     104 

Wilkes  Farm               .               .               .               . 

'     108 

Xll 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


?    5    1 


Cabinet  of  1679  and  ''  Governor's"'  Chair 

Rev.  Harry  L.  Brickett 

South  Church 

Henry  Bancroft,  2d  . 

Common,  Lynnfield  Centre  (Looking  West) 

Centre  Station 

Old  Shoe  Shop 

Gen.  Josiah  Newhall 

Townsend  House 

Ex-Judge  Stephen  Gilman     . 

Joseph  Gowing's  Tavern,  1775 

Capt.  John  Perkins  . 

Bryant  House,  1809 

William  R.  Roundy  . 

Communion  Set,  1737 

The  Old  Parsons  House 

John  M.  Danforth,  Esq. 

Town  Hall  Interior   . 

George  E.  Herrick    . 

Pilling's  Pond 

George  H.  S.  Driver 

Bancroft's  Store  and  Dwellings 

Hon.  N.  M.  Hawkes 

Lynnfield  Station 

Clarence  H.  Moulton's  Shoe  Factory 

Elbridge  F.  Gerry's  Cider  Mill 


pp.  page  112 

'  116 

'  122 

'  128 

'  136 

'  140 

'  144 

pp. 

'  150 

'  156 

'  162 

'  168 

'  174 

'  180 

'  188 

'  194 

'  200 

'  208 

'  212 

'  216 

'  220 

'  226 

'  232 

'     236 

'  244 

'  250 

'  256 

INTRODUCTION. 


Lynnfield  finds  herself  in  an  excellent  situation  as  regards 
neighbors.  On  the  north  is  North  Reading,  a  town  about  her 
size.  It  stands  like  a  city  set  on  a  hill  that  cannot  be  hid. 
In  its  churches  many  of  the  inhabitants  of  Lynnfield  have 
worshipped,  and  years  ago  a  part  of  the  territory  was  set  off 
from  Lynnfield  to  North  Reading  in  a  wonderful  manner. 
Many  *'  an  exchange  which  was  no  robbery  "  has  been  made  in 
the  sons  and  daughters  of  the  two  places.  North  Reading  con- 
tains a  nice  hall,  public  library,  stores,  etc.,  the  gift  of  Mrs. 
Harriet  N.  Flint.  The  town  is  noted  for  the  longevity 
of  its  inhabitants,  and  not  many  years  ago  one  of  its  citizens 
passed  away  who  was  born  in  Lynnfield,  aged  more  than  a 
hundred  years,  and  many  others  have  almost  attained  to  a 
century. 

On  the  eastern  border  is  Peabody,  known  in  our  generation 
as  Danvers,  South  Danvers,  and  Peabody,  the  last  in  honor  of 
one  of  its  sons,  the  London  banker,  who  now  sleeps  within  its 
limits.  One  grave  in  its  limits  has  attracted  strangers  from  all 
parts  of  the  country,  till  they  have  confiscated  and  carried  off 
in  chips,  as  mementos,  the  entire  head  and  part  of  the  foot- 
stone. 

In  Peabody  is  the  munificent  donation  of  George  Peabody, 
the  Peabody  Institute,  which  has  made  the  citizens  of  more 
than  one  town  wish  that  they  could  go  and  do  likewise. 
Peabody  is  a  wealthy  town,  and  is  a  great   place   for  tanning 


XIV  INTRODUCTION. 

hides  for  leather.  Close  beside  is  the  old  patriotic  town  of 
Danvers,  the  Salem  village  of  1692.  Still  nearer  is  Middleton, 
with  its  Wills  Hill,  its  elegant  Flint  Public  Library,  its  beautiful 
pond,  which  supplies  water  for  Danvers.  The  Ipswich  River 
carries  the  Oakdale  paper  mills.  Near  them  the  quartet  of 
towns  joins  together. 

South  of  Lynnfield  is  the  city  of  Lynn,  the  old  mother  town, 
noted  over  all  the  world  for  its  manufacture  of  boots  and 
shoes ;  a  city  that  combines  town  and  country,  hill  and  dale, 
river,  pond,  and  seashore  in  picturesque  beauty,  beside  being 
the  parent  town  of  Lynnfield,  from  which  most  of  her  first 
settlers  came.  It  is  also  that  of  the  two  fashionable  resorts  of 
Swampscott  and  Nahant,  while  on  its  western  side  is  still  an- 
other daughter,  with  the  ancient  Indian  name  of  Saugus,  noted 
for  its  fine  highways,  elegant  town  hall,  its  soldiers'  monu- 
ment, a  legacy  of  Henry  Hone  of  that  place,  its  go-ahead  en- 
terprise, high  rocks,  and  many  other  things  too  numerous  tp 
mention,  as  well  as  the  river  for  which  it  is  named,  and 
which  runs  through  Lynnfield  before  it  reaches  the  town  of 
Saugus. 

On  the  western  border  are  the  two  towns  of  Reading  and 
Wakefield,  and  they  are  situated  but  three  miles  away,  and 
the  spires  of  both  can  be  plainly  seen.  The  town  of  Wake- 
field is  nearly  as  well  known  to  the  denizens  of  Lynnfield  as 
its  own  territory,  and  the  two  have  been  intimately  connected 
for  two  hundred  and  fifty  years. 

Wakefield  boasts  of  her  beautiful  situation,  of  nice  public 
and  private  buildings,  of  superb  ponds,  and  general  enterprise, 
while  Reading  is  noted  for  good  morals,  intelligence,  ponder- 
ous families,  musical  taste,  patriotic  and  well-to-do  citizens. 
All  combine  to  form  a  wreath  of  towns  of  which  any  town 
might  be  proud  to  be  the  centre,  and  which  it  is  hoped  may 
prosper  tenfold  more  in  the  future  than  in  the  past.  And  then 
it  is  to  be  remembered,  just  outside  of  this  circle  lies    still 


INTRODUCTION.  XV 

another,  till  you  reach  greater  Boston  of  the  future.  Distances 
are  as  follows  :  — 

From  old  meeting-house,  Lynnfield  Centre,  to  State  House, 
Boston,  bearing  southwest,  distance  1 2  miles,  1 80  rods. 

From  old  meeting-house,  Lynnfield  Centre,  to  South  Church, 
Salem,  is  7  miles,  23.06  rods,  bearing  southeast. 

From  the  old  meeting-house,  Lynnfield  Centre,  to  the 
church  in  Mattapoisett,  Rochester,  Mass.,  61  miles,  22.06 
rods,  bearing  southeast. 

From  Lynnfield  Hotel  to  Lynn,  4  miles,  7  rods,  13  feet. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  TOWN  OF  LYNNFIELD,   MASS. 


CHAPTER  I. 
Topography  of  Lynnfield. 

The  town  of  Lynnfield  is  situated  in  the  western  part  of 
Essex  County,  bounded  north  by  North  Reading;  east  by 
Peabody  and  a  small  part  of  Middleton ;  south  by  Lynn, 
Saugus,  and  Wakefield ;  and  west  by  Wakefield  and  Reading. 
It  is  twelve  and  one  half  miles  from  Boston,  eight  from  Salem? 
and  the  same  from  Lynn.  Its  extreme  length  from  north- 
east to  southwest  is  six  miles  ;  from  north  to  south  about  four 
and  three  fourths  miles.  The  widest  portion  is  two  and  three 
fourths  miles,  and  the  narrowest  one  and  one  half  miles. 

To  compare  its  shape  to  anything  known  would  be  a  hard 
matter,  as  it  has  a  very  irregular  outline,  and  reminds  one  of 
the  "  all-long-and-no-wide  "  system. 

The  soil  is  varied,  some  of  it  being  very  good,  while  part 
of  it  is  rather  hard  to  cultivate,  being  genuine  New  England 
earth,  although  it  does  not  plead  guilty  to  a  very  strong  char- 
acter, and  is  somewhat  sandy  in  many  places.  By  the  indus- 
try of  its  owners  it  is  made  to  produce  those  products  which 
are  raised  in  this  part  of  the  world,  so  that  little  of  it  is  waste 
land,  being  either  fit  for  the  cultivation  of  vegetables,  grass, 
etc.,  or  pasturage  of  cattle,  while  many  of  its  hills,  valleys, 
and  swamps  are  covered  with  thick  woods,  which  not  only 
add  beauty  to  the  landscape,  and  health  to  the  inhabitants, 


2  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN 

as  well  as  variety,  but  are  a  source  of  profit,  and  help  supply 
one  of  the  staples  of  life. 

Among  the  trees  are  the  following :  white,  yellow,  and 
pitch  pine,  white,  red,  yellow,  and  rock  maple,  larch,  hem- 
lock, spruce,  white,  yellow,  and  black  birch,  ash,  elm,  alder, 
black,  red,  and  yellow  oak,  walnut  or  hickory,  butternut,  chest- 
nut, cherry,  sassafras,  cedar,  poplar,  willow,  and  others. 

A  large  number  of  medicinal  plants  abound,  as  horehound, 
blue  flag,  skunk  cabbage,  partridge-bush,  plantain,  hound's- 
tongue,  comfrey,  hazel,  chickweed,  apple  of  Peru,  bittersweet, 
cow  parsnip,  water  cress,  sarsaparilla,  rosemary,  Solomon's 
seal,  adder's-tongue,  sassafras,  arsesmart,  garget,  celendine,  cat- 
nip, dockroot,  fever  bush,  burdock,  rheumatism  weed,  mouse- 
ear,  bloodroot,  pond  lily,  head  betony,  horse,  spear,  and 
water  mint,  pennyroyal,  ground  ivy,  nettle,  marjoram,  mother- 
wort, cranesbill,  mallow,  tansy,  wormwood,  life  everlasting, 
coltsfoot,  golden-rod,  elecampane,  mayweed,  lobelia,  pokeroot, 
thoroughwort,  lungwort,  valerian,  sweet  fern,  and  whiteweed. 

Beside  these  are  berry  fruit,  such  as  black,  red,  and  choke 
cherry,  hazelnut,  black  currant,  gooseberry,  blue  and  whortle 
berry,  partridge  berry,  barberry,  mulberry,  grape,  raspberry, 
blackberry,  brambleberry,  cranberry,  and  strawberry,  as  well 
as  the  artichoke,  groundnut,  wild  pea,  wild  oat,  and  hop, 
the  sumach,  bayberry,  and  hemp. 

For  poisons  may  be  found  the  thorn  apple,  nightshade, 
and  ivy,  while  in  field,  forest,  meadow,  and  the  streams  are 
myriads  of  wild  flowers.  Prominent  among  these  are  the 
beautiful  mountain  laurel,  honeysuckle,  wild  rose,  daisy, 
golden- rod,  and  numerous  others. 

The  township  is  exceedingly  weU  watered.  Its  rivers  are 
the  Ipswich  and  Saugus,  both  named  for  the  towns  into  which 
they  flow.  The  former  is  the  northern  boundary  of  the 
town,  while  the  latter  is  a  part  of  the  southern  and  western  line, 
and   is   noted    for   its    serpentine    course.     It   rises  in  Lake 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  3 

Quanapowitt ;  Reedy  Meadow  lies  on  both  sides  of  it,  is  of 
gigantic  proportions,  and  serves  many  uses,  being  covered 
with  grass ;  cranberries  are  grown  upon  it.  It  is  flooded  a 
part  of  the  year,  and  makes  a  nice  skating  pond  of  miles  in 
length.  The  lots  are  divided  by  ditches,  which  used  to  furnish 
"  bog  "  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  and  neighboring  towns  ere  the 
advent  of  coal,  not  many  years  ago. 

The  name  of  the  meadow  is  derived  from  the  large  quantity 
of  reeds  with  their  elegant  plumes  growing  upon  it,  one  part, 
called  "Dark  Swamp,"  being  literally  covered.  In  Middleton, 
near  the  Lynnfield  line  on  the  Ipswich  River,  are  the  well- 
known  Oakdale  paper  mills. 

Wills  Brook  takes  its  rise  from  a  spring  which  is  a  natural 
curiosity,  the  water  boiling  up  at  an  incredible  rate,  and  it  is 
thought  there  is  enough  to  furnish  the  town.  It  once  carried 
a  small  manufactory  ;  traces  of  the  dam  and  where  the  pond 
used  to  be  can  still  be  seen.  The  brook  empties  into  Wills 
Meadows,  —  the  name  is  of  Indian  origin. 

Another  stream  rises  in  the  meadow  at  the  base  of  Pine 
Hill.  After  flowing  a  short  distance  it  assumes  the  cognomen 
of  "  the  Slough,"  — which  title  it  has  borne  for  more  than  a  cen- 
tury,—  passing  through  a  series  of  meadows,  uniting  with  Beaver 
Dam  Brook,  where  used  to  be  a  dam  for  beavers,  and  which 
unites  with  Saugus  River  in  Reedy  Meadow.  This  brook  is 
much  prized  as  a  watering  place  for  horses  at  the  present 
tmie,  and  at  the  first  settlement  of  the  town  was  a  boundary 
locality  often  mentioned. 

There  are  a  number  of  other  brooks ;  two  are  of  no  mean 
ca-pacity.  Hawkes  Brook  is  a  lengthy  one,  and  carries  a  saw- 
mill. It  also  helps  to  furnish  the  water  for  the  City  of  Lynn. 
Bates  Brook  is  named  for  a  citizen  of  long  ago,  as  is  also  an 
excellent  spring  but  a  short  distance  from  Gerry's  mill.  Be- 
sides are  Frog  Pond  Brook,  Otter  Hole  Brook,  and  Winding 
Brook,  to  which  we  may  have  occasion  to  refer  in  these  pages. 


4  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

Upon  the  banks  of  these  brooks,  at  least  some  of  them,  are 
meadow  intervales,  from  which,  in  years  gone  by,  were  cut 
hundreds  and  thousands  of  cords  of  peat  for  fuel  in  this  town 
and  for  the  market,  although  this  branch  of  business  has  nearly 
died  out,  which  used  to  come  as  regular  as  haying  time. 

Filling's  or  Gerry's  Pond  is  about  a  mile  south  of  the 
Centre,  on  the  road  leading  to  the  hotel ;  a  part  of  it  is  made 
by  the  flowing  of  spring  meadows.  It  is  as  picturesque  as  can 
be,  and  of  late  years  is  very  much  visited,  sometimes  by  several 
hundred  in  a  day,  so  that  it  is  ofttimes  necessary  to  have  a 
policeman  with  the  others.  Large  quantities  of  fish  are  taken 
from  its  waters,  and  people  camp  every  year  upon  its  borders. 

It  is  a' so  appreciated  in  summer  for  sailing,  and  in  winter 
for  skating.  In  1861,  the  water  during  one  of  the  spring 
rains  made  an  excavation  in  the  lower  dam  and  came  near 
carrying  off  the  mill,  actually  flooding  the  lower  part,  besides 
removing  large  rocks  a  considerable  distance,  and  washing 
earth,  tools,  and  stones  into  the  stream  —  incurring  a  large  bill 
for  repairs. 

Humphrey's  Pond,  or  Suntaug  Lake,  is  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  sheets  of  water  in  existence, —  a  perfect  picture  for  an 
artist  to  copy.  A  traveller  from  Europe  once  remarked  that 
he  "never  saw  anything  that  surpassed  it."  The  bottom  of  it 
is  gravelly,  and  the  water  clear  and  pure.  Its  former  name  is 
that  of  its  first  owner,  and  dates  back  to  1635  (see  "Annals," 
page  49),  while  the  latter  reminds  us  of  the  natives  still 
farther  back.  There  is  a  wonderful  echo  to  the  lake,  which 
adds  to  the  charms  of  a  visit  to  its  beauties.  It  also  has,  instead 
of  gloomy  borders,  those  which  slope  gradually  and  are  invit- 
ing to  the  tread. 

Excursions  and  picnics  are  often  made  and  the  day  spent 
at  this  sylvan  retreat.  Nearly  forty  years  ago  a  Sunday-school 
party  from  Lynn  were  passing  over  the  lake  in  a  boat  when  it 
upset  and   thirteen  of  them  were  drowned.     Three  persons 


OLDEST     HOUSE    IN     TOWN. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  5 

also  committed    suicide  in  its  depths,  so  that  the  lake  has  a 
sombre  as  well  as  a  beautiful  side. 

Several  beautiful  summer  residences  are  built  on  its  borders ; 
prominent  are  those  of  David  P.  Ives,  Henry  Saltonstall,  and 
Francis  Appleton.  Within  the  lake  is  Humphrey's  Island, 
wooded  and  green,  and  a  gem  of  its  kind.  The  boundary 
between  Peabody  and  Lynnfield  passes  through  it,  although 
the  largest  part  of  the  pond  is  in  the  latter  place.  We  shall 
refer  to  this  body  of  water  in  other  parts  of  this  work. 

At  the  north  part  of  the  town  is  Goose  Pond,  once  a 
famous  locality  for  wild  ducks  and  geese.  No  one  in  passing 
on  the  street  would  guess  that  near  by  was  this  pond.  It  is 
supposed  from  observation  that  a  mill  was  once  located  there 
and  was  gone  before  the  oldest  inhabitant  could  remember. 

Near  the  southeast  corner  of  the  town  is  Nell's  Pond, 
thought  to  be  a  specimen  of  perfection,  and  more  than  one 
unsuccessful  attempt  has  been  made  to  sound  its  depths. 
Marvellous  stories  are  told  of  this  pond  It  is  on  the  line  of 
the  lakes  of  Lynn. 

Although  there  are  no  mountains  in  the  township,  it  is  ad- 
mirably diversified  by  hills,  and  we  will  notice  the  most  prom- 
inent. 

Pine  Hill  is  in  the  eastern  part  and  extends  into  Peabody, 
covering  about  a  square  mile.  It  is  crowned  with  all  sorts  of 
trees,  is  a  capital  outlook  of  the  country  beyond,  and  is 
owned  by  many  individuals.  Cart  paths  cross  it  in  all  direc- 
tions, and  the  main  road  used  to  pass  over  it.  Nearly  around 
it  at  its  base  are  springs  of  excellent  water,  for  example,  the 
watering  place  on  the  road  known  as  the  Pine  Hill  Spring,  where 
generations  of  people  and  horses  have  drank  its  cool  water. 
Upon  the  pathway  of  the  hill  more  than  one  unfortunate  pedes- 
trian has  been  lost.  One  day  a  small  party  were  picking  berries 
when  they  were  startled  by  the  following  exclamations  from 
an  old  lady  in  stentorian   tones  :   ''  I'm  lost  !  I'm    lost !  !  I'm 


6  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

lost  on  the  middle  of  Pine  Hill !  What  a  fool  I  was  to  get 
lost  on  the  middle  of  Pine  Hill  !  Ba-ha  !  "  She  was  soon 
escorted  home,  to  her  great  joy.  Several  places  on  the  hill  are 
designated  by  the  names  of  "  Pigeon  Stand,"  "  Desert  Rock," 
"  Old  Horse  Burying  Ground,"  etc.  In  former  times  it  used 
to  be  a  mammoth  place  for  berries.  Twice  within  a  score  of 
years  terrible  fires  have  occurred  upon  it.  A  camp  of  a  few 
contrabands  located  upon  the  brow  attracted  considerable 
attention,  in  the  year  1864,  with  their  banjo  and  primitive 
looking  cottage,  surnamed  "Tiptop  House,"  which  one  day 
took  fire  and  came  near  burning  to  death  one  of  the  inmates. 

Powder  Hill  is  in  the  west  part  of  the  town,  and  is  quite 
rocky,  with  fantastic  shape.  The  hill  derives  its  name  from 
the  fact  that  for  many  years  the  powder  house  stood  upon  it 
till  it  was  burned.  A  short  distance  from  the  summit  is  a  grove 
of  beech-trees,  —  a  remarkable  thing  for  these  parts,  —  where 
used  to  be  a  favorite  resort  for  picnics.  Many  young  people 
have  carved  their  names  upon  them,  and  most  of  them  are 
young  no  longer.  Rock  Rimmon  is  a  short  distance  above 
Pow^der  Hill,  and  presents  a  shaggy  appearance.  It  com- 
mands a  beautiful  view  of  the  town,  and  is  surmounted  by  two 
spiral  poplars,  that  stand  like  sentinels  guarding  the  country 
around.  A  liberty  pole  used  to  be  riveted  to  the  rock,  which 
could  be  seen  for  miles  away. 

Huckleberry  Hill  is  passed  over  by  the  road  leading  from 
the  Centre  to  the  south  villages.  It  used  to  abound  with 
rattlesnakes.  These  woods  were  cut  about  a  century  ago  by 
a  father  for  the  purpose  of  sending  his  son  to  college. 

Tophet  Hill,  where  it  descends  to  the  swamp  of  the  same 
name  (not  classic),  is  the  most  steep,  for  riding,  in  town. 
Lynnfield  Centre  shows  to  advantage  during  the  descent. 

Bow  Ridge  is  at  the  southern  extremity  of  Lynnfield  near 
Nell's  Pond,  in  a  retired  and  rural  region,  being  some  way  from 
the  road,  not  far  from  the  Lynn  line,  and  is  worth  visiting. 


-     OF   LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  7 

In  Tophet  Hill  is  the  copper  mine  which  was  not  considered 
valuable  to  work. 

Not  far  from  the  Centre  depot  may  be  found  the  serpentine 
marble  mine,  itself  a  rare  one.  The  shaft  and  excavation  being 
at  Forest  Hill,  although  the  serpentine  is  by  no  means  con- 
fined to  it,  but  crops  out  at  quite  a  distance  on  neighboring 
hills  and  in  wells  around. 

An  extract  of  a  letter  written  at  the  time  of  its  discovery 
may  not  be  out  of  place  here,  bearing  date  Lynnfield,  Aug.  26, 
1836  :  "I  wish  to  inform  you  of  the  great  excitement  there  is 
in  this  place  about  a  very  valuable  mine  called  '  black  marble,' 
found  in  Samuel  and  Jesse  Skinner's  hills.  A  corporation  has 
been  formed,  and  they  will  purchase  four  acres  for  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty-three  dollars,  the  same  that  was  paid  but  ten 
for.  They  have  bought  the  hills  the  King  lot,  and  have  the 
refusal  of  several  farms  in  this  vicinity  for  the  stone,  or  ac- 
commodation of  the  workmen." 

One  who  examined  it  soon  after  said,  "  Its  quantity  is  inex- 
haustible and  its  quality  unquestionable."  Dr.  Charles  Jack- 
son, a  very  high  authority,  said  also  :  "  It  is  a  kind  of  marble 
highly  prized  in  Europe,  being  extensively  used  for  mosaic 
work,  inlaying  tables  and  other  rich  furniture.  There  is  noth- 
ing else  of  the  kind,  no  stone,  so  beautiful  in  Massachusetts." 
Such,  too,  is  the  opinion  of  Dr.  Hitchcock,  who  said  there  is 
no  such  thing  as  exhausting  it.  Another  who  has  visited  it 
more  recently  writes  :  "  This  is  of  the  variety  called  verd- 
antique,  being  of  various  shades  from  the  darkest  olive  to 
grass-green  color.  It  forms  a  large  bed,  running  northeast  by 
north  and  southeast  by  south,  and  dips  to  the  northwest  about 
forty-five  degrees." 

A  manufactory  was  built,  but  it  was  found  very  expensive  to 
work  the  material,  and  the  work  was  abandoned.  Two  or 
three  years  ago  the  work  was  resumed,  and  has  again  come  to 
a  standstill,  but  will  doubtless  start  again  in  the  future.     The 


8  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

derrick  is  over  a  large  excavation  filled  with  water,  and  the 
quarry  is  often  visited  for  specimens,  which  may  be  found  in 
many  parts  of  the  world,  being  made  into  the  shape  of  books, 
tables,  fonts,  and  worked  into  church  buildings  in  various  ways. 

On  the  south  side  of  the  Common  is  a  small  bridge  for  the 
purpose  of  carrying  off  water.  The  edgestone  is  of  serpen- 
tine polished  by  the  scholars  in  years  ago  by  spitting  upon  it 
and  polishing  with  another  of  the  same. 

The  south  part  of  the  town  contains  granite,  specimens  of 
which  may  be  seen  in  the  guideposts  of  the  town  as  well  as  in 
many  other  places.  This  granite  is  said  to  be  equal  to  the 
celebrated  Quincy  granite,  has  a  good  color  and  is  easily 
worked. 

Robin  Rock  is  the  most  noted  for  mention  of  granite,  in 
town  at  least,  that  is  worked,  and  the  view  from  its  top  is  su- 
perb, being  backed  with  woods,  with  here  and  there  a  building, 
and  the  sight  of  the  blue  ocean  in  front,  while  in  the  distance 
at  the  side  is  seen  Bunker  Hill  Monument ;  a  large  bowlder  is 
poised  on  the  top,  and  the  whole  will  repay  a  visit  many  times. 
An  effort  is  being  made  to  preserve  the  rock  ere  it  be  too  late. 
A  large  rock  used  to  stand  or  lie  close  to  the  south  road 
known  as  the  Briton  Rock,  but  years  ago  was  obliged  to 
remove  to  a  more  excellent  situation  after  being  somewhat 
bruised.  It  is  said  that  it  was  named  for  a  pedler  who  used 
always  as  he  passed  to  rest  himself  by  it. 

An  old  road  used  to  cross  the  woods  at  the  eastern  part  of 
the  town  from  Peabody  to  North  Reading.  Near  this  road 
was  a  ledge,  and  in  it  a  fissure  known  as  Harris  Gap,  from  the 
fact  that  a  man  of  that  name  in  passing  yielded  up  his  Hfe 
and  was  found  there. 

Lynnfield  abounds  with  samples  of  stone,  should  any  one 
wish  them.  It  is  said  that  his  Satanic  Majesty  holds  posses- 
sion of  a  portion  of  every  town  in  the  shape  of  a  rock  or  some 
stream.     Here  he  had  credit  by  the  Indians  for  marking  the 


MRS.     CLARISSA    E.    COX. 
Photograpti    Taken    on   her    100th   birthday,    Oct.    6,    1887. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  9 

bed  of  Saugus  River,  as  the  reader  will  see  by  referring  to 
another  part  of  this  work.  A  portion  of  Reedy  Meadow  is 
also  named  the  "  Devil's  Kitchen,"  and  another  part  the 
"  Devil's  Garden,"  although  why  is  more  than  we  can  tell,  and  if 
one  were  sure  this  were  all  the  grip  that  he  had  upon  the  settle- 
ment they  might  exclaim  at  the  top  of  their  voice,  "  Blessed  !" 
The  map  in  this  book  is  a  copy  of  Essex  County  map,  1856, 
with  a  few  additional  streets. 


lO 


HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 


MAP  or 

iS'NNFIELD 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  II 


CHAPTER    11. 
Ancient  Houses  of  Lynnfield. 

An  old  house,  but  still  what  a  history,  could  it  but  be  writ- 
ten !  How  many  memories  cling  to  it ;  how  many  hopes 
have  centred  there  ;  how  many  happy  hours  have  been  spent 
beneath  its  roof!  How  many  sad  hours  have  been  passed 
within  its  walls  !  Here  have  gathered  many,  many  friends,  and 
beneath  its  roof  has  transpired  many  an  event  celebrated  in 
history.  From  its  w^alks  have  gone  the  soldier  son,  perhaps 
never  to  return  ;  and  this  same  scene  may  have  been  repeated 
time  after  time.  In  its  recesses  are  sacred  memorials,  to  be 
taken  out,  wept  over,  and  returned.  Here  has  childhood 
played,  here  has  youth  strayed,  here  has  lived  manhood, 
bold  and  strong,  and  here  has  age  waited  the  summons  to  "  go 
up  higher.  "  Every  room  is  crowded  with  clustering  memo- 
ries, and  it  is  remembered  by  those  far  away  who  have  gone  to 
bless  mankind,  and  who  at  the  ends  of  the  earth  in  trem- 
bling accents  sing,  "  Home,  sweet  home." 

We  shall  endeavor  in  this  chapter  to  give  the  sites  of  Lynn- 
field's  habitations  of  days  gone  by,  showing  where  dwelt  those 
whose  names  and  deeds  are  mentioned  in  the  pages  of  this 
work,  and  also  that  Lynnfield  contains  many  houses  built  in 
days  of  yore. 

The  first  houses  of  this  place  were  under  ground,  something 
like  the  dugouts  of  the  West.  This  was  deemed  neces- 
sary for  many  reasons.     When  the  country  was  first  settled, 


12  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

bricks,  glass,  and  nails,  having  to  be  imported  from  the  old 
country,  were  very  scarce  and  high  in  price,  and  very  spar- 
ingly used.  These  houses  under  ground  were  warm,  and  were 
thought  better  places  when  an  earthquake  shook  the  earth,  —  a 
terror  our  ancestors  had  to  put  up  with  and  which  their  suc- 
cessors know  nothing  of. 

Long  since  the  present  century  began  a  resident  of  this 
town  undertook  to  dig  down  a  hill  in  front  of  his  dwelling- 
house  ;  after  a  while  he  came  to  one  of  these  dwellings, 
which  contained  iron,  plaster,  and  other  things,  and  the  whole 
seemed  as  if  at  some  previous  time  it  had  been  ravaged  by 
fire. 

The  next  dwellings  were  the  log  houses,  and  one  of  them 
was  standing  in  the  last  century,  and  we  wish  it  were  standing 
now.  About  the  year  1650  the  frame  dwellings  appear,  and 
some  of  them  are  still  standing,  "  fearfully  and  wonderfully 
made."  Some  were  garrison  houses,  with  portholes,  etc.,  where 
the  neighbors  could  flee  in  case  of  an  attack  of  the  Indians. 
At  least  two  of  these  remain  and  will  be  noticed  hereafter. 
Most  of  the  houses  at  this  time  were  story-and-a-half  buildings, 
built  small,  and  added  to  at  future  periods,  till  in  a  century  and 
a  half  more  of  the  dwellings  were  large  than  small,  but  contained 
many  unfinished  rooms. 

FORMER     DWELLINGS. 

A  little  more  than  a  mile  from  the  Common  in  an  easterly 
direction  following  the  main  street  is  the  Verne  residence,  spa- 
cious and  roomy.  It  used  to  be  the  summer  residence  of 
Isaac  Cook.  It  has  been  known  for  the  last  fourscore  and 
ten  years  as  the  "Smith  place."  The  two  front  rooms  of  the 
house  were  moved  from  North  Reading  over  a  hundred 
years  ago  with  their  owner.  At  that  time  the  place  was  a  wil- 
derness, a  small  part  of  which  was  cleared  to  put  the  house 
upon.     No  doubt  the  choice  of  the  site  was  made  because  of 


o 
o 

Ui 

^^ 


S^' 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 3 

the  beautiful  spring  beneath  the  large  old  elms  in  front  of  the 
house. 

Coming  down  about  one  fourth  of  a  mile  toward  the  centre 
of  the  town,  Lowell  Street  crosses  Main.  This  has  been  called 
the  "  North  Road  "  and  the  corner  ''  Hart's  Corner."  Right 
here  is  a  cellar,  and  on  it  for  nearly  seventy  years  stood  a 
dwelHng-house  till  it  was  burned  in  1856,  and  so  silent  was  the 
fire  that  a  neighbor  near  by  knew  not  the  structure  was  gone 
till  the  next  morning.  It  was  a  square  house  and  unlike  any 
that  is  left  in  town. 

Passing  on  Lowell  Street  a  short  distance  we  come  to  the 
homestead  of  Henry  Endicott  Smith.  On  the  same  spot  stood 
years  ago  one  of  the  most  ancient  dwelUngs  in  this  region. 
No  one  who  saw  its  ancient  roof,  its  antique  door  and  win- 
dow, but  knew  it  was  built  in  an  age  gone  by.  It  is  said  it 
was  once  a  tavern.  An  old  house  once  stood  in  the  field 
back  of  the  last  mentioned,  and  it  disappeared  generations 
ago. 

The  site  of  another  may  be  seen  near  Peabody  line,  and  it 
was  burned  a  couple  of  years  ago.  It  was  in  this  house  that 
Capt.  Ebenezer  Hart  spent  his  last  days. 

A  short  distance  above  the  corner  is  the  Shute  house,  about 
a  century  old,  built  by  the  Hart  family. 

Back  of  it  stood  another  dweUing,  but  the  traces  of  it  are 
few  at  the  present  day  to  tell  us  mortals  lived  there. 

The  land  around  here  for  acres  and  acres  was  the  Hart 
grant,  and  here  Hon.  Thomas  N.  Hart's  ancestors  on  his 
father's  side  lived.  Everything  was  of  magnificent  dis- 
tances, —  "  the  orchard,  the  meadow,  the  deep  tangled  wild- 
wood,"  the  pig-yard,  cow-yard,  and  all  else  of  a  great  farm. 
A  few  traces  remain  to  tell  the  tale.  An  old  house  known  as 
the  Hart  house  stood  at  the  left  of  the  "  Four  Corners,"  as  the 
road  is  called.  It  stood  in  the  midst  of  an  enormous  farm, 
and  the  apple  orchard  was  near  half  a  mile  from  the  house. 


14  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

which  had  immense  rooms.  It  was  a  two-story  building, 
and  at  last  was  used  to  store  hay  in  before  being  taken  down. 
An  old  house  stood  on  the  Emerson  farm,  and  another  where 
now  stands  the  residence  of  Jeremiah  Coney,  which  was  re- 
moved to  another  part  of  the  town  about  ninety  years  ago. 
An  old  house  was  burnt  on  the  site  of  the  present  one,  belong- 
ing to  the  late  Joel  Hewes,  while  the  Norwood  house  shows 
unmistakable  signs  of  antiquity.  The  old  Shearman  house 
stood  on  the  site  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Wiley's  home,  and  another 
where  is  the  nice  residence  of  David  F.  Parsons.  The  Tre- 
mont  house,  which  was  burned  a  few  years  ago,  was  an 
ancient  one  also,  and  it  is  said  it  was  built  north  of  its  last 
site,  standing  near  the  Ipswich  River,  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from 
its  nearest  neighbor,  not  one  of  whom,  at  that  time,  could  be 
seen.  Its  peer  was  the  old  Newhall  house,  which  is  still  stand- 
ing and  has  been  the  theatre  of  many  events.  The  home  of 
Mrs.  James  Reed  is  another  of  the  same  sort.  It  used  to  be 
known  by  a  variety  of  names,  but  these  have  passed  away.  It 
stands  like  a  beacon  light,  and  a  ''  light  in  the  window  "  can 
be  seen  for  miles  around.  An  old  house  was  torn  down  about 
ninety  years  ago  to  make  room  for  the  Needham  house. 
There  are  traces  of  a  habitation  near  Goose  Pond,  but  whose 
it  was  no  man  knoweth. 

The  Pearson  house  was  built  near  the  beginning  of  the 
present  century,  and  its  aged  ancestor  stood  farther  back. 

The  Perkins  house  was  built  about  the  year  1700,  but,  hav- 
ing been  kept  in  good  repair,  bids  fair  to  stay  any  length  of 
time  that  may  be  wished.  It  has  been  inhabited  by  six  John 
Perkinses. 

The  Hart  house  is  said  to  be  the  second  built  in  town. 
It  has  a  peaked  roof,  and  one  room  in  it  used  to  be  devoted 
to  the  culture  of  silkworms.  Its  massive  oaken  frame  is  still 
likely  to  stand,  while  others  shall  blow  down.  Coming  down 
the  hill  and  turning  the  corner  toward  the  Centre,  on  the  spot 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 5 

where  stands  the  home  of  Mr.  W.  Newhall,  once  stood  a 
house  till  it  was  burned,  in  1842.  The  farm  used  to  be  known 
as  the  "  Charlestown  Farm,"  and  it  is  said  the  fathers  of 
Charlestown  used  to  be  entertained  a  day  every  year  upon  it. 

The  Sparhawk  house,  built  about  1720,  on  the  same  place 
where  the  Wheeler  house  now  stands,  was  moved  about  thirty- five 
years  ago  a  mile  up  the  street,  and  afterward  to  Maiden,  where 
is  still  its  home.  It  was  the  home  of  Rev.  Nathaniel  Spar- 
hawk,  and  was  built  in  nice  shape,  the  rooms  being  finished  in 
wood,  and  having  wooden  shutters. 

On  the  opposite  side  of  Main  Street,  where  now  is  the 
home  of  Judge  Nash,  once  the  Lynnfield  parsonage,  erected 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Mottey,  stood  a  venerable  house  which  was  taken 
down  to  make  room  for  its  successor.  The  farm  and  house 
were  a  gift  to  the  reverend  gentleman  at  the  time  of  his  settle- 
ment, and  here  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Eliza  Bancroft,  was  born, 
lived  all  her  life,  and  died. 

Near  the  present  site  of  the  store  of  F.  P.  Russell,  Esq., 
stood  one  hundred  years  ago  a  Gowing  house.  The  ancient 
Bryant  home  stood  a  little  to  the  west  of  the  present,  and 
nearer  the  Common,  and  was  the  nearest  neighbor  of  the  old 
meeting-house.  A  building  was  torn  down  a  few  years  ago 
that  was  used  by  Charlestown  people  during  the  war  to  store 
furniture  and  other  stuff  in.  This  was  the  case  with  many 
buildings  here,  houses  as  well. 

An  old  tavern  stood  on  the  spot  where  is  now  the  Flannagan 
home.  It  used  also  to  contain  other  things,  and  the  eastern 
part  was  very  old,  the  western  being  built  about  1780. 
Tradition  says  the  old  elm  in  front  still  standing  is  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-five  years  old.  The  next  on  the  same  side 
of  the  street  is  said  to  be  the  third  in  town,  being  built  before 
1 700,  and  has  been  the  home  of  a  legion  of  people.  Before 
it  stands  a  willow,  one  of  the  largest  in  the  country,  about 
ninety  years  old. 


1 6  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

The  house  of  the  late  Joseph  Henfield  is  said  to  be  the  oldest 
in  town,  and  has  been  the  home  of  many  eminent  personages. 
The  towering  elm  at  the  east  side  was  named  many  years  ago 
"  The  Pride  of  Lynnfield."  The  spacious  yard  in  front  of 
this  house  used  to  be  a  hill,  so  that  but  the  tops  of  carriages 
could  be  seen  from  the  windows.  Many  years  ago  this  was 
dug  down,  and  six  or  eight  feet  below  the  ground  was  found 
a  place  full  of  ashes,  bricks,  and  housekeeping  implements, 
which,  no  doubt,  was  one  of  the  underground  homes  of  the 
first  inhabitants  of  Lynn  End,  now  Lynnfield,  which  had 
probably  been  burned  up. 

The  next,  a  gambrel-roofed  house,  is  old  and  has  a  varied 
and  interesting  history.  x'Vt  the  time  it  was  built  it  was  con- 
sidered the  grandest  house  in  town.  The  entry  and  staircase 
were  of  oak.  It  still  contains  an  ancient  buffet  and  a  brass 
knocker.  The  western  part  used  to  be  kept  closed,  and  the 
family  were  forbidden  to  enter.  A  girl  who  lived  in  the 
family,  while  they  were  at  meeting,  thought  she  would 
view  the  premises.  While  in  the  front  chamber  she  heard  a 
sound  and,  fearing  a  surprise,  jumped  out  of  the  end  window 
and  caused  her  death.  Here  died  the  sister  and  nephew 
of  Charlotte  Cushman,  both  of  whom  were  cared  for  by 
the  great  dramatist,  who  used  to  visit  them  at  this  their 
home.  From  this  same  house  were  sent  to  the  centennial 
of  1876  the  silver  shoe  buckles  of  Samuel  Adams,  the 
patriot. 

The  next  old  house  was  brought  from  Wakefield  near  a 
century  ago,  and  was  an  old  settler. 

A  large  old  house  stood  where  the  residence  of  Charles 
Derby  now  is,  and  the  Orne  family  removed  from  it  to  the 
present  Emerson  house  when  it  was  built. 

Back  in  what  is  now  the  woods  stood  in  different  places 
four,  and  probably  five,  of  Lynnfield's  ancient  habitations ; 
now  little  else  than  cellar  holes,  trees,  etc.,  remain  to  proclaim 


EBENEZER     PARSONS. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 7 

the  fact.     The  builders  are  dead  and  their  descendants  scat- 
tered. 

The  house  of  Miles  Thurston  is  one  of  the  older  ones,  and 
has  been  the  theatre  of  important  events.  Within  about 
twenty-five  years  its  aspect  has  so  changed  that  no  one  would 
recognize  it ;  once  it  was  used  as  a  public  house. 

The  Cox  house  has  grown  from  modest  proportions  to  be 
one  of  the  largest  in  the  town,  and  it  is  also  the  last  before 
one  enters  Wakefield.  For  several  reasons,  we  believe  it  is  one 
of  the  most  healthy  residences  we  know  of. 

Not  far  from  the  Centre  railroad  station,  with  its  sloping  lawn, 
whereon  stands  a  massive  elm,  is  another  of  Lynn  End's  ancient 
inns,  built  in  the  proportions  of  a  farmhouse  of  two  hundred 
years  ago  with  its  subsequent  additions.  During  the  war  of 
the  Revolution  it  was  known  as  the  ''Joseph  Gowing  Tavern," 
and  to  this  building  was  brought  the  remains  of  Lynnfield's 
son  who  was  killed  at  Lexington,  April  19,  1775  ;  ^^^  i^  i^  ^^i^ 
the  house  did  not  look  so  timeworn  twenty-five  years  agone 
as  it  did  in  1775. 

The  Danforth  house  was  built  by  Dea.  Nathaniel  Bancroft, 
in  1744,  and  has  been  remodelled  several  times.  The  road- 
way leading  to  it  is  lined  with  venerable  elms.  The  old  house 
stood  a  little  farther  north  than  the  present  one,  and  was 
aged  a  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago. 

Up  the  hill  is  a  house  which  has  been  kept  up  so  that  it 
does  not  look  very  old,  but  it  is  much  older  than  the  last  men- 
tioned. In  front  of  it  are  gigantic  elms  which  can  be  seen 
for  a  great  distance. 

Near  the  pound  once  stood  another  old  house  which  was 
torn  down  at  the  beginning  of  this  century.  It  had  a  wing  on 
either  side,  and  at  last  was  used  for  the  storage  of  hay.  The 
last  family  lived  in  one  end,  and  kept  their  hens,  etc.,  in  the 
other.  Of  the  last  six  houses  here  mentioned  probably  five 
were  built  by  the  Bancrofts. 


1 8  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

At  the  junction  of  the  Lynn  and  Saugus  roads  we  see  a 
house  that  seems  to  be  retreating,  that  is,  it  does  not  face  the 
street,  for  the  reason  that  the  highway  has  been  changed.  The 
front  part  is  about  ninety  years  old,  the  rear  is  very  old. 
From  this  house  went  forth  to  the  battle  of  Lexington,  never 
to  return,  Daniel  Townsend,  Lynnfield's  noble  son.  A  large 
number  of  Lynnfield's  sons  have  first  seen  the  light  beneath 
its  friendly  roof. 

East  of  this,  on  the  hill  where  now  is  the  ancient  cellar  hole, 
doorstone,  and  generous  elm,  once  stood,  for  one  hundred 
and  seventy-five  years,  the  old  Wellman  house,  it  having  de- 
parted in  the  early  part  of  the  century. 

Another  Wellman  house  stood  near  the  barn  of  George  E. 
Herrick,  and  another  of  the  same  name  not  far  from  Andrew 
Mansfield's,  and  not  far  from  this  two  more  belonging  to  the 
same  name. 

On  Salem  Street  a  cottage,  that  used  to  be  known  as  "  Aunt 
Fanny  Walton's,"  is  one  of  the  old  habitations,  but  is  as 
picturesque  and  inviting  as  possible.  The  large  old  Ramsdell 
house,  once  the  Mansfield  place,  dates  back  for  generations, 
and  was  replaced  last  year  by  a  new  one.  At  the  corner  of 
Main  and  Essex  Streets  stood,  till  it  was  burned  in  1 87 8,  a  house, 
the  eastern  part  being  the  old  schoolhouse  which  stood  on 
Lynnfield  Common,  and  was  built  about  1772,  being  removed 
there  in  1808. 

An  old  house  of  small  dimensions  stood  near  the  former 
house  of  Mrs.  James  Hewes.  Farther  on  the  hill  was  the 
Larrabee  house,  which  a  little  previous  to  1850  became  a  barn. 
This  place  was  owned  by  the  town. 

A  little  back  of  this,  on  the  slope  of  Pine  Hill,  stands  an 
old  farmhouse,  once  the  Gowing  place,  while  a  smaller  one, 
standing  nearer  the  street,  was  burned  several  years  since. 

One  more  on  this  street  was  an  old  Aborn  house,  with  its 
quaint  appearance,  being  shingled  all  over,  and  boasted  to  the 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 9 

traveller  as  he  passed  by  of  no  less  than  seven  different  sizes 
of  windows.  The  rooms  within  were  of  **  magnificent  dis- 
tances," a  few  would  accommodate  the  largest  families. 

Near  the  railway,  on  what  used  to  be  the  old  Salem  road, 
which  is  now  on  private  land,  used  to  stand  a  number  of 
dwellings,  but  all  are  gone ;  the  last,  the  Butler  house,  was 
burned.  At  the  time  it  was  unoccupied,  but  a  family  were  to 
move  in  the  next  day.  Near  by  were  the  Aborn,  the  Foster, 
the  Nourse,  and  the  Gowing  places,  stretching  to  Peabody  line. 
It  is  in  this  region  that  "  old  Camp  Comfort"  is  located,  and 
is  known  to  many  a  one  in  neighboring  places ;  and  the  sur- 
rounding country  is  a  rural  walk  for  pedestrians.  Here  still 
are  relics  of  old  cellars,  wells,  brooks,  trees,  patches  of  wood 
and  meadow,  and  many  other  traces  of  former  homes,  where, 
no  doubt,  the  inhabitants  would  have  stared,  if  they  had  not 
stopped  their  ears,  to  have  seen  the  iron  horse  plough 
through  their  fields  and  past  their  doors.  With  this  excep- 
tion, this  part  of  the  town  is  in  its  primitive  simplicity,  en- 
closed by  substantial  and  massive  stone  walls,  which  look  as 
if  the  sons  of  Anack  must  have  laid  them,  and  speak  well  for 
the  strength  of  their  builders  of  at  least  a  century  ago,  and 
look  as  if  they  might  last  into  the  next  to  come. 

Years  agone,  at  the  southwestern  boundary  of  the  town, 
on  Saugus  River,  was  the  well-known  sash  and  blind  fac- 
tory. A  very  short  distance  is  the  old  Tate  place,  which  was 
in  the  time  of  the  Revolutionary  War  the  home  of  Timothy 
Munroe,  of  which  this  book  speaks  under  that  head.  Another 
ancient  home  has  for  generations  kept  it  company,  and 
we  presume  there  are  still  others  of  which  we  have  not 
learned. 

The  Hawkes  house,  of  more  than  two  centuries  ago,  stood 
on  the  spot  where  now  stands  the  home  of  George  L.  Hawkes. 
In  the  pasture  southward  still  stands  the  old  Tarbell  house, 
although  its  inmates  by  that  name  left  many  years  ago. 


20  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

Passing  on  we  see  the  square,  comfortable  home  of  the 
Mansfields,  nearly  a  century  of  age. 

The  Ramsdell  house,  before  mentioned,  has  been  struck  by 
lightning  a  number  of  times.  Once  the  fire  was  put  out  with 
milk,  and  once  a  bedstead,  whereon  the  inmates  were  lying,  was 
sent  to  the  top  of  the  room.  Several  old  Newhall  houses  and 
others  belonging  to  the  name  of  Aborn,  while  three  belonging 
to  the  Mansfields,  are  among  the  homes  formerly  of  Lynn 
End. 

Among  the  illustrations  of  this  book  will  be  noticed  the 
Mansfield  house,  Peabody.  This  is  claimed  to  be  the  oldest 
house  occupied  by  that  name,  and  is  probably  nearly  two 
centuries  old.  Apartof  the  farm  is  in  Lynnfield.  The  house 
stands  very  near  the  line  of  Lynnfield,  and  belongs  to  the 
village  of  South  Lynnfield,  while  its  inmates  have  always 
seemed  to  belong  to  Lynnfield.  The  house  is  still  occupied 
by  E.  and  W.  A.  Mansfield,  descendants  of  the  original  owner, 
and  who  pay  taxes  on  more  than  threescore  acres  of  land  in 
this  town.  The  place  is  at  the  present  time  in  splendid 
repair,  with  modern  improvements,  and  a  pleasant  sight  to 
see.  The  Mansfields  came  originally  from  this  house  and 
settled  in  Lynnfield,  at  least  those  who  are  now  of  that 
name  in  town,  and  the  picture  is  furnished  for  this  work  by 
Mr.  Charles  F.  Mansfield,  of  Wakefield,  an  antiquarian,  and 
one  who  has  collected  very  many  facts  respecting  his  ances- 
tors, a  gentleman  in  the  truest  sense  and  a  friend  worthy  of 
the  name. 

N.  M.  Hawkes,  a  Lynnfield  scion,  forcibly  says:  "The 
standard  elms  and  the  south-facing,  long-sloping,  back-roofed 
houses,  with  the  great  stack  of  chimneys  in  the  centre,  to  all 
these  people  are  home  and  history  and  the  sterling  point  of 
family  lines. 

"  The  whole  county  is  dotted  with  these  old  earth-hugging 


> 

t) 
W 
r 

W 
o 

CO 

H 


5IH':1'| 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  21 

houses,  upon  which  the  storms  of  bleak  winters  have  beaten 
in  vain  for  centuries. 

"They  were  wisely  built,  by  men  who  knew  the  climate,  and 
by  men  who  were  founding  families.  They  overlooked  the 
broad  acres  which  their  builders  had  redeemed  from  the 
wilderness.  Square,  prim,  and  strong,  admirably  adapted  to 
the  age  in  which  they  were  built.  Time  has  mellowed  their 
surroundings  and  made  them  one  and  all  picturesque  and  im- 
portant adjuncts  in  every  hamlet  in  the  county.  Every  one  is 
full  of  the  traditions  and  history  of  its  long- departed  occupants 
and  of  the  people. 

"  Let  us  not  learn  from  strangers  to  appreciate  the  historic 
value  nor  the  substantial  use  of  the  stout  houses  that  are  gems 
set  in  the  grassy  lanes  of  old  Essex,  but  let  us  so  care  for 
them  as  to  make  them  still  attractive  to  the  wanderer  who  re- 
turns to  the  home  of  his  people." 

Sometimes  we  sit  thinking  in  one  of  these  old  habitations, 
which  has  been  the  theatre  of  events  for  two  centuries  and  a 
half.  We  seem  to  see  them  raise  the  building,  using  pegs  for 
nails,  splitting  pieces  of  board  to  fill  the  places,  hewing  logs 
to  make  floors,  building  the  chimney  with  bricks  from  Old 
England,  and  nails  and  window  glass  must  come  from  there. 
Anon  the  family  are  settled  within.  What  checkered  scenes 
come  up  !  In  the  chimney  corner  sit  the  aged  couple,  while 
the  grandchildren  play  around  them  and  bring  their  children 
for  grandparents'  blessing.  What  comfort,  what  cheer,  have 
dwelt  beneath  that  roof;  what  sorrow,  what  surprises,  have 
also  been  hidden  there  1  That  door  has  opened  to  bring  forth 
its  inmates  for  the  last  time.  Within,  the  wedding  bells  have 
sounded ;  toddling  infant  and  tottering  age  have  both  passed 
its  portals.  How  many  a  time  have  parents  looked  out  to  see 
their  boys  depart,  or  a  newcomer  who  has  come  to  claim  a 
share  of    the  spacious  home  !     How  often  have  "  wars  and 


2  2  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

rumors  of  wars"  been  discussed  within  its  portals.  Yet  were 
we  to  try  to  describe  half  of  the  events  transacted  here,  this 
little  book  would  not  hold  them ;  for  if  some  people  are 
"walking  encyclopaedias,"  this  house  would  be  a  library  of 
history.  But  we  cannot  forget  that  New  England  is  what  its 
homes  have  made  it ;  and  here  was  planted  the  seed  from 
which  has  sprung  our  churches,  our  schools,  and  all  else  that 
is  noble  and  grand.     We  say,  "  God  bless  our  home  !  " 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  23 


CHAPTER   III. 
Old  Meeting-House.  —  Town  Hall.  —  Schools. 

Not  of  marble  reaching  high, 
With  gilded  bands  around, 
.  Toward  the  blue  ethereal  sky. 
Nor  wreaths  its  top  surround. 

But  a  solid  building  lifts, 

With  the  years  grown  old. 
Our  fathers'  and  our  mothers'  gifts, 

More  precious  far  than  gold. 

It  speaks  of  patience,  courage  true. 

In  years  that  now  have  flown; 
Noble  souls  as  earth  e'er  knew. 

They  were  God's  very  own. 

Near  it  the  builders  rest, 

Calm  'neath  the  pine-tree  shade, 

To  us  their  memory  blest 

In  colors  that  ne'er  shall  fade. 

A  glory  crowns  thy  head, 

A  halo  all  thine  own, 
A  link  of  living  and  of  dead. 

To-day  and  those  that  are  gone. 

THE    OLD    MEETING-HOUSE. 

This  is  one  of  the  landmarks  of  the  town,  and  one  of  the 
oldest  houses  of  worship  in  this  ancient  Commonwealth,  being 
built  in  1 7 15,  so  that  it  is  one  hundred  and  seventy-nine 
years  of  age.  The  old  church  at  Hingham  (we  meant  the 
old   meeting-house),  or  perhaps  we  should   say  the  old  ship, 


24  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

was  built  in  1680;  St.  Michael's,  Marblehead,  in  1714;  and 
this  in  the  next  year.  The  Old  South  Meeting-House  in 
Boston,  so  noted,  was  built  in  1730,  fifteen  years  after  the 
Lynnfield  one,  while  the  ancient  stone  chapel  is  thirty-five 
years  its  junior,  so  that  we  see  there  is  not  a  church  edifice  in 
the  metropolis  which  has  attained  the  age  of  this  one. 

It  was  built  when  the  land  was  the  dominion  of  the  king 
of  Great  Britain,  between  fifty  and  sixty  years  before  the 
Declaration  of  Independence.  It  was  built  upon  the  land 
where  the  wood  was  cut,  some  of  it  for  its  timbers,  and  was 
purchased  of  the  Gowings.  It  was  a  plain  building,  with  its 
ponderous  oaken  beams,  which  have  so  faithfully  stood  the 
test  of  almost  centuries.  No  turret,  tower,  or  belfry  ever  sur- 
mounted its  roof,  any  more  than  if  it  had  been  built  by  a 
Society  of  Quakers. 

The  pulpit  used  to  stand  upon  the  eastern  side,  with  a  win- 
dow behind,  and  a  sounding-board  above  the  latter,  —  a  terror 
to  children,  for  fear  it  might  fall  and  envelop  the  dear  minister. 

There  were  three  galleries ;  one  of  them  contained  the 
hind  men's  seats,  reserved  purposely  for  colored  people,  who 
were  slaves,  or  their  children ;  and  more  than  one  slave  child 
has  been  presented  for  baptism  by  its  master  in  the  old 
edifice.  There  were  also  three  doors  to  enter  the  building, 
and  before  them  were  the  horse  blocks, —  large  stones  for  dis- 
mounting from  the  horses.  The  last  one  was  removed  about 
thirty  years  ago. 

The  building  was  neither  plastered  nor  painted  for  more  than 
a  hundred  years.  It  contained  square  pews,  and  these  were 
ornamented  with  gingerbread  work,  as  it  was  called. 

In  May,  1782,  a  petition  was  presented  to  see  if  the  signers 
might  cut  the  house  in  two  and  move  it,  and  put  in  fourteen  feet, 
and  leave  the  pulpit  and  deacons'  seats,  without  cost  to  the 
parish. 

A  meeting  was  held,  and  it  was  agreed  to  move  the  galleries 


JUDGE    STEPHEN    G.     NASH. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  25 

two  and  one  half  feet ;  the  pews  were  then  to  be  sold  at 
auction  to  pay  the  cost  of  repairs  ;  and  at  a  meeting  of  the 
proprietors  of  the  new  part  it  was  agreed  to  let  a  man  have 
twelve  inches  to  enlarge  his  pew,  at  the  price  the  rest  paid. 
The  following  was  the  assignment  of  the  pews,  1783  :  — 

"  The  pew  next  the  ministerial  pew  on  the  southeast  side, 
to  Mr.  Josiah  Newhall ;  the  corner  pew  adjoining,  to  Mr. 
Jonathan  Wellman ;  floor  pew,  the  southeast  side  of  the 
'  broad  alley,'  to  Dea.  Daniel  Mansfield ;  the  pew  adjoining, 
on  the  same  side,  to  Lieut.  James  Bancroft ;  the  two  pews  ad- 
joining, to  Thomas  Townsend ;  the  wall  pew  at  the  northerly 
end  of  the  meeting-house,  adjoining  the  northeast  corner  pew, 
to  John  Bancroft ;  the  northeast  corner  pew,  to  James  Brown ; 
the  pew  at  the  right  hand  of  the  front  door.  No.  i,  to  Capt. 
John  Burnham ;  the  pew  at  the  left  hand  of  the  front  door. 
No.  2,  to  Thomas  Reed ;  pew  at  the  west  side  of  the  pulpit. 
No.  3,  to  Andrew  Mansfield ;  No.  4,  to  Nathaniel  Howard ; 
pew  on  the  floor  at  the  west  door,  next  to  Ed.  Sparhawk's, 
No.  5,  to  John  Hewes;  next  to  J.  Hewes',  No.  6,  to  Dea. 
Daniel  Mansfiled ;  the  pew  and  a  half  at  the  east  door. 
No.  7,  to  Matthew  Newhall;  the  two  pews  at  the  east  side 
of  the  '  broad  alley,'  Nos.  8  and  9,  to  William  Mansfield ;  the 
pew  at  the  west  side  of  the  '  broad  alley  '  to  Timothy  Walton." 

For  more  than  fifty  years  but  little  was  done  to  this  build- 
ing, the  principal  thing  being,  perhaps,  the  introduction  of 
a  stove,  which,  as  in  other  meeting-houses,  was  not  done 
with  haste.  This  event  occurred  in  1824.  The  following 
votes  will  explain  more  fully  :  ''  Voted,  that  the  parish  raise 
the  sum  of  thirty  dollars  (to  be  added  to  the  sum  raised  in 
March  last)  for  the  purpose  of  setting  up  a  stove  in  the 
meeting-house  belonging  to  said  society."  "Nov.  i,  1824. 
Voted,  that  a  committee  be  chosen  for  the  purpose  of  setting 
up  a  stove  in  said  house."  "That  the  committee  consist 
of  three."     "That    Charles   Richardson,  Matthew  Cox,  and 


2  6  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

Benj.  Cox  be  a  committee  to  do  the  aforesaid  business." 
"  That  the  space  near  the  north  door  is  a  convenient  place 
to  set  a  stove." 

Perhaps  the  reader  has  imagined  the  good  fathers  and 
mothers  before  this  time  shivering  through  the  cold  Sundays 
with  nothing  but  foot-stoves  to  keep  the  frost  from  their  Hmbs. 
This  is  not  quite  the  fact,  for,  it  is  said,  on  cold  days  Rev.  Mr. 
Mottey  always  favored  an  adjournment  to  the  schoolhouse, 
near  by,  and  which  contained  an  ample  fireplace  which  sent 
forth  its  cheerful  glow.  And  when  the  reverend  gentleman 
built  his  new  house  he  said  he  meant  to  have  one  room  large 
enough  to  hold  meetings  in.  That  room  is  Mrs.  Judge  Nash's 
parlor.  The  meeting-house  being  sadly  out  of  repair  and  the 
town  having  no  hall,  the  following  proposal  was  made  to  the 
town  by  a  committee  of  the  parish  :  — 

"  We,  the  undersigned,  committee  for  the  First  Congregational  Society 
in  Lynnfield,  wish  to  make  the  following  proposals  to  the  inhabitants  of 
the  town  of  Lynnfield,  viz. :  — 

"  Being  about  to  repair  our  meeting-house,  and  having  no  particular  use 
for  the  lower  story  as  high  as  the  galleries  are  now  placed,  except  a  con- 
venient and  suitable  place  for  the  erection  of  stairs,  by  which  the  mem- 
bers of  the  above-mentioned  society  may  ascend  to  and  enter  the  upper 
story  of  said  meeting-house, 

"  Therefore,  we  propose  to  give  all  the  lower  story  of  the  said  meeting- 
house (with  the  exception  above  mentioned")  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town  of  Lynnfield  for  a  Town  House.  Provided,  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town  of  Lynnfield  will  agree  to  pay  one  half  of  all  the  expenses  of 
repairing  the  outside  roof  and  underpinning  of  said  meeting-house,  and 
the  parish  will  enter  into  obligation  that  as  long  as  the  said  inhabitants 
of  Lynnfield  will  continue  to  pay  one  half  of  the  expense  of  keeping 
it  in  repair  so  long  the  said   inhabitants    shall  enjoy  the   above-named 

privilege. 

"BOWMAN  VILES, 
H.  EMERSON, 
MOSES  RICHARDSON, 
MATTHEW  COX. 
"Lynnfield,  Sept.  7,  1836." 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  27 

The  town  voted  to  accept  the  proposal  offered  concern- 
ing the  old  meeting-house,  and  a  committee  was  chosen  to 
confer  with  the  parish  committee  and  carry  the  proposal  into 
effect,  providing  the  whole  cost  do  not  exceed  ^600,  so  that 
in  no  case  the  town  shall  pay  more  than  $300,  first  receiving  a 
written  obligation  of  said  parish  committee  that  it  shall  be  free 
from  all  incumbrances,  and  that  the  part  of  the  house  named 
in  the  proposal  be  cleared  of  pews,  etc.,  in  a  proper  manner. 

An  agreement  was  entered  into  with  Moses  Hobson  and  the 
parish  committee  to  finish,  plaster,  and  paint  the  house,  put 
in  twenty-four  new  windows  with  twenty-four  new  lights,  build 
a  pulpit  and  pews,  all  to  be  done  in  six  months.  For  many 
years  after  the  figures  above  the  pulpit  denoted  the  erection 
and  remodelling  of  the  building,  viz.,  1715-1837.  Preaching 
was  kept  up  for  a  few  years,  and  then  for  about  ten  years  the 
meeting-house  was  closed,  until  1849. 

The  withdrawal  of  the  Evangelical  Society,  formed  Sep- 
tember, 1832,  and  which  took  place  at  that  time  because 
the  old  society  had  become  Unitarian,  crippled  them  greatly. 
At  that  time  it  took  the  trustees  of  the  fund,  deacons. 
Sabbath-school  superintendent,  and  nearly  every  member 
of  the  church,  and  it  has  never  revived  to  the  old  standard. 
The  house  is  at  the  present  time  closed,  and  many  in- 
teresting facts  in  its  history  are  related  in  the  ecclesiastical 
history  of  this  work.  The  lower  part  is  still  used,  and 
is  of  great  interest  to  the  antiquarian.  The  present  building 
was  much  improved  by  paint  and  blinds  about  forty  years 
ago.  Two  of  its  windows  are  the  same  that  were  put  in  more 
than  a  hundred  years  ago.  Probably  there  is  no  building 
around  that  has  served  such  a  variety  of  uses.  Several 
efforts  have  been  made  to  remove  the  building  from  its 
original  site,  but  none  have  yet  succeeded.  We  hope  that  it 
may  long  survive  and  still  be  a  benefit  to  this  community, 
as  it  certainly  might. 


2  8  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

We  had  always  supposed  that  this  building  was  erected  by 
taxation,  but  were  pleased  to  find  that  it  was  done  by  subscrip- 
tion, and  a  second  subscription  was  given  ere  it  was  finished. 
It  was  underpinned  with  stones,  which  all  remain  to  this  day  ; 
and  the  ponderous  oaken  beams  show  it  to  be  "  fearfully  and 
wonderfully  made."  The  walls  are  of  great  thickness.  The 
shape  of  the  building  when  first  built  was  nearly  square ;  by 
the  addition  of  the  fourteen  feet  set  in  in  1782,  the  house  as- 
sumed its  present  shape.  It  has  had  four  sets  of  windows, 
one  at  the  beginning  of  its  career,  in  17 15,  probably  rude  ones. 
In  1 75 1  it  was  voted  to  have  the  meeting-house  plastered, 
clapboarded,  and  shingled,  with  window  frames.  Those  who 
gave  the  new  ones  to  have  the  old  ones.  In  1782  it  again 
had  new  ones ;  two  of  these  are  in  the  attic.  There  were 
twelve  panes  in  the  upper  sash  and  eight  in  the  lower.  When 
the  house  was  remodelled  in  1837,  those,  all  but  the  two 
upper  ones  before  mentioned,  were  taken  out  and  the  present 
ones  fitted,  which  are  strong  and  serviceable. 

In  1800  it  was  voted  to  raise  ^100  to  paint  the  meeting- 
house ;  the  next  year  it  was  voted  not  to  paint  it,  and  this  was 
not  done  for  more  than  fifty  years  after. 

The  upper  part  was  used  for  the  uses  of  a  church,  while  the 
lower  story  has  been  the  town  hall  for  a  little  over  fifty  years, 
so  that  the  variety  of  uses  to  which  the  building  has  been  put, 
good,  bad,  and  indifferent,  is  simply  astonishing,  —  public 
worship,  ordinations,  prayer-meetings,  lectures,  most  all  kinds 
of  organizations,  balls,  parties,  levees,  town  meetings,  schools, 
caucuses,  trials,  conventions,  anniversaries,  war  meetings, 
suppers  and  dinners,  picnics,  reunions,  dancing  school,  writ- 
ing school,  singing  school,  lyceums,  funerals,  and  parades. 

It  is  located  on  one  side  of  a  pretty  park.  Lynnfield  Com- 
mon is  in  the  shape  of  a  triangle,  and  the  old  meeting-house  is 
on  the  eastern  side.  When  it  was  built  the  highway  ran 
through  the  middle  of  the  Common,  so  that  the  front  or,  as  it 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  29 

was  called,  the  ''  fore"  door  was  on  the  west  side  of  it,  and  a 
stone  wall  came  up  close  to  the  corner  of  it  on  what  was  then 
the  rear  side  of  the  building.  A  row  of  horse  sheds  stood 
where  the  sidewalk  now  is,  —  a  perfect  horror  to  pedestrians. 
On  the  other  side  of  the  street  that  ran  through  the  Common 
was  a  goose  pond,  and  swine  were  allowed  to  run  at  large- 
The  streets  ran  much  nearer  the  old  meeting-house  on  both 
sides,  while  South  Common  Street,  where  the  sidewalk  now  is, 
was  a  low  gutter,  and  the  trees  were  not  there.  Two  aged  men 
.used  to  claim  that  their  grandfathers  set  out  the  big  elm  under 
whose  spreading  branches  have  been  held  many  gatherings 
and  from  whose  trunk  have  hung  effigies.  It  is  said  the  sec- 
ond-sized elm  was  set  out  by  Hon.  Asa  Tarbel  Newhall  to 
hitch  his  horse  to  on  Sabbath  days.  In  1841  a  number  of 
spirited  young  men  brought  trees  and  set  them  out,  and  about 
two  years  ago  another  contribution  was  made  of  the  same  sort, 
so  that  now  it  is  covered  with  trees,  and  since  it  has  been 
graded  it  is  one  of  the  prettiest  parks  to  be  found  ;  and  Lynn- 
field  is  noted  for  its  beautiful  large  shade  trees. 

The  western  corner  was  first  used  for  a  site  for  the  school- 
house,  after  for  hay  scales,  then  for  flagstaff,  and  now  the  town 
pump. 

Near  by  the  guidepost  informs  us  that  it  is  to  Wakefield  3, 
Reading  3,  Boston  13,  Lynn  7,  Peabody  7,  Danvers  7,  Mid- 
dleton  5,  Salem  8,  North  Reading  4,  and  Saugus  5  miles. 

On  the  east  side  are  the  Central  Church,  the  Centre 
Schoolhouse,  while  at  the  southern  point,  where  the  two  ways 
meet,  is  the  much-prized  new  town  hall,  built  in  1891.  On  its 
outer  edge  stands  the  wheelwright  shop  of  Samuel  Harding, 
who  has  worked  in  this  place  nearly  a  half-century,  and  the 
village  smith  may  be  heard  ringing  upon  his  anvil  on  the  main 
street. 

A  little  brook  crosses  the  street  at  the  foot  of  the  Common, 
which  once  flowed  on  in  plain  sight,  but  which  later  improve- 


30  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

ments  have  nearly  hidden  from  sight,  yet  it  is  the  "  school- 
house  brook."  Altogether,  making  allowance  for  partiality, 
we  think  it  a  beautiful  place,  especially  in  summer,  when  its 
trees  arch  overhead,  when  it  is  carpeted  with  grass  all  spot- 
ted with  dandelions ;  and  it  makes  one  think  of  the  old  and 
new. 

Not  far  from  the  old  meeting-house  still  lies  a  stone  which 
was  once  a  horse  block.  There  used  to  be  three  of  them,  one 
by  each  door  of  the  edifice.  One  was  used  for  many  years 
as  a  doorstep. 

A  row  of  sheds  once  occupied  the  sidewalk  on  Summer 
Street.  There  were  ten  of  them,  and  the  hearse  house ; 
they  were  painted  red.  During  the  September  gale  of  1815 
they  were  all  blown  over  flat  on  their  backs.  After  this  a 
heavy  piece  of  granite  was  fastened  by  an  iron  bolt  to  each 
shed,  or,  as  they  were  called,  "  horse  houses,"  to  prevent  another 
uprising  or  downfalling  of  these  appendages.  They  were  taken 
down  about  1850. 

Said  one  of  Lynnfield's  gifted  sons,  Hon.  N.  M.  Hawkes  : — 

*'  The  dedication  of  your  fair  new  town  building  marks  an  era  in  your 
existence.  It  is  the  final  divorce  of  church  and  town.  The  holding  of  the 
town  meetings  in  the  house  erected  on  the  green  by  the  old  North  Parish 
was  a  reminder  of  Puritan  ways  that  was  unique.  The  old  house  was 
plain,  but  it  was  in  keeping  with  the  plain,  God-fearing  yeomanry  who 
there  legislated  and  worshipped.  There  the  precinct  district  and  town  of 
Lynnfield  were  formed.  After  the  massive  timbers  of  that  edifice  were 
hewn  from  the  primeval  forest  two  generations  of  men  had  wrought  their 
appointed  tasks  ere  the  S'  mn  rumble  of  creaking  wagons  passed  on  to 
the  Col.  Cox  Tavern,  with  precious  freight  of  dead  and  wounded. 

"That  wondrous  day,  the  19th  of  April,  had  occurred,  and  hard  by  in 
yonder  churchyard  repose  the  mortal  remains  of  Lynnfield's  hero  and 
martyr  of  that  day.  Sturdy  artisans  were  raising  the  frame  of  that  edifice 
a  century  before  the  star  of  Napoleon  Bonaparte  set  in  final  darkness  upon 
the  field  of  Waterloo.  The  snows  of  a  hundred  and  fifty  bleak  winters 
had  blown  upon  it  when  Grant  and  Lee  met  at  Appomattox,  —  and  Appo- 
mattox to  those  living  to-day  seems  like  history." 


-ps 


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OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  3 1 


THE   TOWN    HALL. 


For  some  time,  especially  during  the  years  1889  and  1890, 
there  had  been  a  desire  to  remove  the  old  town  hall  and 
meeting-house  from  the  Common  and  modernize  and  improve 
the  building.  The  initial  movement  towards  the  new  hall  was 
on  March  30,  1890,  at  a  special  town  meeting,  when  ^6,500 
was  voted  for  the  purpose,  and  a  building  committee  of  five, 
being  Messrs.  George  E.  Batchelder,  Henry  Law,  Elbridge 
F.  Gerry,  Warren  Newhall,  and  Albert  Copeland,  were 
chosen.  The  committee  purchased  a  lot  of  land  on  Summer 
Street,  near  the  Common,  of  Frank  T.  D.  Barnjum,  and  a  piece 
containing  2,480  feet  was  given  by  Mr.  Ebenezer  Parsons. 

The  building  was  erected  by  Messrs.  Wentworth  &  Heath, 
of  Wakefield,  the  mason  work  by  H.  C.  Watson,  of  Reading. 
The  surveyor  was  Mr.  James  A.  Bancroft,  of  Reading.  An- 
other town  meeting  was  held  in  June,  and  $1,000  was  appro- 
priated to  heat,  light,  and  furnish  the  building,  which  was 
accepted  by  the  committee  Dec.  12,  1890. 

The  hall  sets  back  from  the  street,  so  that  there  is  a  lawn  in 
front.  It  is  built  of  wood,  two  stories  high  and  a  basement. 
Its  dimensions  are  48  by  60  feet.  It  has  a  tower  in  front, 
and  before  this  a  portico.  Inside  this  is  a  vestibule,  and  a 
closet  of  large  dimensions  on  either  side.  The  vestibule  leads 
to  the  main  hallway,  where  are  doors  to  the  different 
rooms  on  the  lower  floor,  consisting  of  banquet  hall,  21^  x  28 
feet ;  selectmen's  room  opposite,  16x19  feet,  and  containing  a 
vault  of  brick  and  iron,  the  brick  walls  twenty  inches  in  thick- 
ness. The  iron  vault  is  7^  x  9J  feet  on  the  inside,  and  the 
safe  was  made  by  E.  C.  Morris,  of  Boston.  The  ticket  office 
is  in  front  of  the  hallway,  and  a  committee  room,  13  x  14  feet, 
at  the  west.  The  public  library  room  is  in  the  front  of  the 
building  and  north  of  the  banquet  hall ;  it  is  13  x  23  feet.  At 
the  rear  of  the  building  is  a  door  outside  and  stairway  to  the 


32  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

Upper  part.  A  kitchen  is  in  the  southern  portion.  The  base- 
ment is  cemented  and  is  high  studded,  with  brick  piers,  and 
contains  lockups  and  furnaces. 

The  main  hall  is  on  the  second  floor,  being  36x39  feet, 
with  a  stage  10x18  feet,  with  anterooms  on  either  side  and  a 
balcony  in  front.  There  are  cloak-rooms  at  the  north  side, 
and  the  hall  is  finely  seated,  so  that  they  can  be  removed  in 
sections.  The  whole  is  finished  in  whitewood  with  floors  of 
birch  and  hard  pine,  with  interior  blinds  and  transoms  for  ven- 
tilation. It  cost  ^8,398.70,  and  the  next  year  sheds,  tramp 
house,  etc.,  were  built  by  an  extra  appropriation  from  the 
town,  that  seems  well  pleased  with  the  result  of  the  effort  to 
build  it.  The  hall  was  dedicated  Jan.  28,  1892,  when  many 
gathered  from  this  and  neighboring  towns.  Henry  Law 
presided.  The  American  Band,  of  Lowell,  furnished  fine 
music  for  the  occasion.  Rev.  H.  L.  Brickett,  of  Lynnfield 
Centre,  offered  prayer,  and  was  then  introduced  as  the  orator  of 
the  day,  which  position  he  filled  admirably.  He  related  many 
incidents  in  the  town's  history,  made  a  strong  plea  for  the 
ancient  church  to  be  preserved  as  a  relic  of  the  past,  for  a 
pubhc  library  to  be  placed  in  the  hall,  for  which  accommoda- 
tions had  been  provided,  and  also  recommended  a  tablet  to  be 
put  in  the  hall  for  Lynnfield's  valiant  sons,  a  fund  for  which 
since  then  has  been  commenced.  Mayor  Elihu  Hayes,  of 
Lynn,  spoke  of  the  close  connection  between  Lynn  and  Lynn- 
field,  and  urged  the  establishment  of  the  public  library  at  the 
next  town  meeting,  which  was  done.  The  keys  were  received 
by  John  M.  Danforth,  Esq.,  and  the  reading  of  the  report  by 
George  E.  Batchelder.  Mayor  William  M.  Tyler  spoke  for 
Wakefield  in  a  happy  vein,  as  did  Judge  E.  A.  Upton.  Hon. 
Nathan  M.  Hawkes,  a  native  of  Lynnfield,  had  prepared  a 
paper, — "  Why  the  Old  Town  House  was  Built  and  some  Things 
which  have  been  Talked  of  Since."  The  time  had  so  passed 
away  that  his  remarks  were  brief,  but  the  article  was  printed 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  ;^^ 

and  is  a  valuable  addition  to  the  history  of  this  old  historic 
town. 

Hon.  Asa  Tarbel  Newhall,  ex-mayor  of  Lynn  and  a  native  of 
Lynnfield,  gave  an  address  full  of  patriotism,  enthusiastic  in 
praise  of  Lynnfield.  The  following  poem  (original)  was  read 
by  its  author,  Mrs.  Annie  Stevens  Perkins  :  — 

"  'Fhere  were  meetings  and  greetings  and  proud,  glancing  eyes, 
At  the  thought  of  completed  successful  enterprise. 

One  day  in  the  long  ago. 
In  the  calm  autumn  sunlight  glad  forms  might  be  seen. 
And  with  sweet  sounds  the  breezes  above  the  fair  green 

Went  wandering  to  and  fro. 

"  Lordly  and  fair  neath  the  blue  of  the  sky, 
A  newly  built  edifice  gladdened  the  eye. 

The  pride  of  the  quiet  town. 
Reared  to  the  praise  of  the  God  they  loved, 
Whose  tender  mercies  had  ever  proved 
Their  blessing,  their  glory  crown. 

"  In  the  hush  of  the  holy  Sabbath  they  came, 
Some  golden  boon  from  above  to  claim, 

At  this  first  gathering. 
Brave  and  earnest  in  piety 
Our  town's  forefathers,  whose  memory 

Sacred  and  dear  we  sing. 

"  Those  voices,  eager  with  joyful  praise, 
Died  in  the  silence  of  the  golden  days. 

And  passed  from  the  earth  away. 
But  in  courts  unseen  there  are  echoes  now 
Of  the  song  and  prayer  and  fervent  vow 
Of  that  distant,  holy  day. 

"  We  can  but  hallow  their  memory, 
And  grateful  accept  the  legacy, 

Through  the  long  past  handed  down, 
A  building  grand,  with  the  story  of  years. 
All  fraught  with  the  holy  hopes  and  fears, 
To  God's  fulfilment  grown. 


34  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

"  A  link  that  binds  to  the  days  of  old, 
When  trust  and  truth  were  more  than  gold 

And  life  was  a  way  to  God; 
A  silent  reminder  left  behind, 
That  however  life's  pathways  lengthen  and  wind 

Eternity  must  be  trod. 

"  Could  the  hall  on  yonder  quiet  green 
Speak  of  all  it  has  ever  seen 

And  the  tales  it  has  surely  heard, 
The  truth  that  history  is  but  the  plan 
Of  a  Providence  ever  guiding  man 
Would  echo  in  every  word. 

"  For  sacred  association's  sake. 
Truest  and  fondest  pride  we  take 

In  the  hall  beneath  the  elms. 
Close  wrapped  in  the  present,  would  we  forget 
The  heaven-blessed  past,  whose  story  yet 
The  true  heart  overwhelms? 

"  It  is  fitting  to  guard  the  storied  frame, 
Grand  with  a  thought  lips  cannot  name, 

And  sacred  to  memory. 
It  is  fitting  now  to  set  aside 
From  common  use  in  holy  pride 
Our  fair,  rich  legacy. 

"  We  have  gathered  within  these  walls  to-day, 
Mid  music  and  gladness  and  greetings  gay. 

And  faces  with  joy  alight. 
With  prideful  glow  at  last  we  call 
Our  own,  our  beautiful,  new  Town  Hall, 
So  fair  to  our  partial  sight. 

"  With  its  spacious  corridors  and  halls. 
And  apartments  to  meet  the  many  calls 

A  townspeople  may  make, 
The  airy  and  commodious  hall. 
Library,  banquet-room,  and  all, 
•  y         Where  we  may  comfort  take. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  35 

"  Municipal  apartments  too, 
Carefully  planned  for  the  work  to  do, 

For  all  needs  and  behests. 
Upstairs  hall  and  gallery  show. 
And  two  little  bedrooms  down  below 
For  very  infrequent  guests. 

"  May  the  building  we  with  our  glad  hopes  crown 
Prove  a  joy  and  blessing  to  all  our  town, 

As  the  years  shall  come  and  go ! 
Advancing  in  all  prosperity. 
In  the  new  opened  era  of  days  to  be, 

Unto  honor  may  we  grow. 

"  We  have  come  from  our  common  paths  away, 
For  this  is  our  happy,  gala  day, 

Sacred  to  us  so  dear; 
With  sweet  rejoicing  and  grateful  praise. 
We  would  make  it  the  brightest  of  hope-crowned  days. 

As  we  gather  in  gladness  here. 

**  To  all  who  have  come  with  greetings  fair, 
In  our  rejoicings  and  praise  to  share, 

We  offer  our  welcome  true; 
We  find  it  the  wish  of  our  inmost  heart 
That  something  the  hour  may  impart 

Shall  be  glad  and  sweet  to  you. 

"  So  welcome,  heart  welcome  we  offer  you. 
Who  have  gathered  with  greetings  glad  and  true, 

Here  at  the  voice  of  our  call. 
While  with  strains  of  melody  thrilling  the  air. 
And  to  heaven  uprising  the  throb  of  our  prayer. 

We  dedicate  this  our  hall." 

The  literary  exercises  lasted  nearly  three  hours,  including 
an  inspection  of  the  different  parts  of  the  edifice.  After  the 
benediction  had  been  pronounced  by  Rev.  H.  L.  Brickett, 
the  invited  guests  were  escorted  to  a  supper  in  the  lower  hall, 
splendidly  spread  by  Caterer  Dill,  of  Melrose. 


36  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

A  ball  was  held  in  the  evening  till  two  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing, the  music  and  supper  being  furnished  as  in  the  after- 
noon. The  hall  has  proved  a  boon  to  the  town  in  many 
ways,  and  fulfils  all  expectations  of  its  originators.  It  came 
very  near  being  burned  on  the  24th  of  September,  1894, 
at  the  time  the  new  dwelling  house  and  the  paint  shop,  for- 
merly the  Methodist  Meeting-House,  burned  to  the  ground, 
and  it  was  only  by  strenuous  exertions  in  keeping  the  building 
wet  that  it  was  saved.  May  it  be,  like  the  Old  South  Meeting- 
House  in  Boston,  a  barrier  where  the  fire  shall  stop,  though  it 
may  have  been  raging  long  in  other  directions,  and  may  it  ever 
be  a  beacon  light  for  truth  !  On  its  tower  we  can  read,  ''Town 
Hall,   1 89 1." 

SCHOOLS. 

Lynnfield,  like  the  rest  of  New  England,  and  especially 
Massachusetts,  was  a  patron  of  public  schools.  Next  to  her 
church  came  the  school.  Not  that  she  always  had  a  public- 
school  building  ready  for  use,  as  at  present,  still  she  made 
provision  for  the  school  if  not  for  the  building;  it  was  the 
kernel  she  looked  for,  —  the  nut  and  not  the  shell.  We  find  as 
far  back  as  1730  the  town  of  Lynn  making  provision  for  this 
part  of  its  territory,  and  doubtless  it  had  done  so  for  more 
than  fifty  years.  The  town  used  sometimes  to  hire  a  master, 
and  send  him  awhile  in  one  ward  and  awhile  in  another,  for 
no  child  dreamed  of  going  to  school  all  the  time ;  and  besides 
the  qualifications  for  teachers  were  various.  Not  all  of  them 
were  college  graduates.  Some  of  them  were  aged,  some  were 
in  poor  health.  Sometimes  the  minister  taught  the  school, 
and  especially  those  fitting  for  seminaries  or  colleges. 

When  the  schools  were  taught  by  ladies,  sewing  was  one 
and  sometimes  the  acciuisition.  As  a  general  thing,  the  tasks 
were  not  numerous,  Latin  and  Greek  being  reserved  for 
future  generations. 


1=  p 


SOUTH     SCHOOLHOUSE. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS. 


37 


For  many  years  after  its  settlement  this  village  never  boasted 
a  schoolhouse,  but  previous  to  one  being  built  rooms  were 
furnished  in  private  houses,  more  generally  up  one  flight  of 
stairs ;  and  there  is  still  standing  one  of  the  old  domiciles, 
built  way  back  in  the  past,  that  boasts  of  a  room  where  many 
persons  of  influence  graduated  in  the  gone-by  days,  some  of 
whom  have  made  a  mark  in  the  world. 

In  1763  the  parish  voted  to  build  a  schoolhouse  "nigh  ye 
meeting-house,"  but  it  was  not  probably  done  till  1772.    At  that 


1772. 


time  the  town  of  Lynn  "  voted  to  give  fifteen  pounds  to  build 
a  schoolhouse  in  the  north  ward."  This  schoolhouse  was  a 
small  one,  about  twelve  by  eighteen  feet,  and  stood  where  the 
town  pump  on  the  Common  is  and  close  to  the  old  burying 
ground.  It  was  a  plain  building,  had  a  fireplace  on  one  side 
and  a  door  in  one  corner. 

This  building  was  used  for  the  purpose  for  which  it  was 
built  till  1808,  when  it  was  superseded  by  another,  which 
stood  nearly  in  the  street,  near  the  spot  occupied  by  the 
present  Centre  Schoolhouse.     The  old  one  was  sold  for  part 


38  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

of  a  dwelling-house,  and  stood  near  the  corner  of  Main  and 
Essex  Streets,  where  it  was  burned  in  1878. 

The  second  schoolhouse  was  blessed  with  a  convenient 
entry,  perhaps  nine  or  ten  feet  square,  finished  in  wood 
and  furnished  with  hooks  and  pegs.  This  was  given  to 
the  ward  by  the  late  Capt.  Henry  Bancroft.  This  building, 
during  its  earlier  existence,  had  a  big  fireplace,  but  later  on  a 
stove  was  thought  to  be  preferable.  The  ponderous  tongs 
that  the  fire  used  to  be  poked  with  in  the  old  fireplace  are 
still  in  the  keeping  of  one  of  the  scholars  of  the  old  school- 
house,  and,  were  there  an  historical  society  in  this  town,  it 
would  be  presented  with  half  a  thousand  other  articles  to  show 
what  has  been  in  days  of  yore.  This  schoolhouse  at  first  was 
painted  red,  as  were  most  all  built  long  ago.  The  North 
Schoolhouse  stood  on  the  little  common  in  front  of  the  present 
one,  and  was  not  so  old  as  the  last  named.  It  was  not  so 
large,  but  it  too  was  a  red  one.  It  is  supposed  that  some  of  its 
scholars  thought  it  had  outlived  its  usefulness,  and  one  night 
in  1856  it  was  burned  down. 

In  those  days  economy  was  practised  everywhere.  The 
boys  were  expected  to  build  the  fires  and  the  girls  sweep  the 
schoolroom.  Imagine  the  state  of  society  now  were  these 
rules  enforced  upon  the  young  gentlemen  and  ladies  of  the 
present !  I  fear  there  would  be  almost  a  state  of  chaos ;  yet 
this  was  done  till  1848. 

Another  article  of  economy  was  that  the  boys  used  to 
perform  their  examples  and  write  upon  their  leathern 
breeches. 

I  have  just  paused  in  this  article,  ascended  to  the  top  of 
the  house  and  brought  down  an  ancient  arithmetic,  that  my 
grandfather  and  father  both  used  at  school,  by  Daniel  Adams, 
1802.  It  is  a  veritable  book,  with  board  covers  covered  with 
leather ;  a  string  is  attached  to  hang  it  by.  The  paper  is  good 
and  looks  as  if  it  might  last  any  number  of  years.     Of  course 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  39 

it  hasy^s  for  s's.  On  the  210th  page  are  "pleasant  and  divert- 
ing questions."  Let  me  copy  one  that  in  my  childhood  I 
used  to  love  to  repeat : — 

"3d.    As  I  was  going  to  St.  Ives, 
I  met  seven  wives. 
Every  wife  had  seven  sacks, 
Every  sack  had  seven  cats, 
Every  cat  had  seven  kits. 
Kits,  cats,  sacks,  and  wives, 
How  many  were  going  to  St.  Ives?  " 

And  we  will  give  also  a  word  that  a  schoolgirl  of  eighty- 
five  and  ninety  years  ago  informs  us  was  given  out  to  spell. 
It  is  "  Horonofoquificubituditatibusque  "  (Ho-ro-no-fo-qui-fi- 
cubi-tudi-tati-busque),  and  strongly  reminds  one  of  having 
come  down  from  the  wigwam. 

The  South  Schoolhouse  was  built  at  the  beginning  of  the 
present  century,  on  the  same  site  where  now  stands  its  suc- 
cessor. The  ward  was  called  "  Newhall  Ward,"  and  each  ward 
built  its  own  schoolhouse  till  the  wards  were  abolished  in  1868. 
The  schoolhouse  was  large  and  remained  many  years.  After 
new  schoolhouses  had  been  built  in  the  North  and  Centre 
wards,  it  was  one  day  in  town  meeting  remarked  that  the 
south  part  ought  to  have  a  new  schoolhouse.  Several  came 
forward  and  remarked  that  their  schoolhouse  was  good  enough, 
large  enough,  etc.  Indeed,  things  seemed  to  be  in  a  thriving 
condition,  but  as  soon  as  the  town  could  build  a  new  school- 
house  it  was  a  new  tune  set  on  a  different  key. 

While  the  town  did  not  control  the  schools  in  1856,  the 
present  Centre  Schoolhouse  was  built.  It  was  much  the  finest 
in  town  that  had  ever  been  built,  and  at  the  present  time  con- 
tains the  largest  room  in  town.  It  was  furnished  with  all  the 
modern  conveniences,  and  the  dedication  of  it  was  quite  an 
event  long  to  be  remembered,  and  really  showed  forth  the 
town  to  advantage. 


40  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

Soon  after  this  the  North  Schoolhouse,  which  had  lately  been 
reared,  was  also  dedicated.  It  was  built  on  aside  lot,  instead 
of  the  triangle  where  the  former  stood.  At  the  time  it  was 
binlt  the  ward  furnished  plenty  of  scholars  for  a  good-sized 
school,  but  for  many  years  there  has  been  a  steady  'decline, 
and  for  decades  the  schoolhouse  has  been  closed,  and  seems 
worthless,  except  for  its  company  or  something  to  want  insur- 
ance, except  for  its  memories  ;  and  they  will  always  cling  to  the 
school  of  youth.  The  writer  remembers  hearing  the  songs 
Hke  "  Way  Down  upon  the  Swanee  River"  sung  before  he 
ever  read  "  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin."  He  remembers  with  inter- 
est seeing  the  broom  walk  in  at  the  entry  door  enveloped  in 
the  many  clothes  of  the  many  school  children,  hear  its  drum- 
hum,  etc.,  little  thinking  that  one  of  the  scholars  was  enveloped 
in  the  wrapping,  and  held  the  said  broom  above  her  head.  He 
remembers  hearing  the  scholars  in  the  grammar  class  parse  "  I 
might  have  been,"  and  sure  enough,  she  has  "  had  Ben  "  ever 
since.  These  and  many  other  things  rush  into  the  mind,  from 
the  very  mention  of  school. 

And  now  the  wards  are  abolished,  and  the  South  School 
needs  badly  a  new  schoolhouse  !  A  new  one,  the  hand- 
somest and  most  costly  building  of  its  kind  ever  built  in  town, 
rears  its  head  near  the  spot  on  which  the  former  one  stood, 
while  close  beside  it  floats  the  flag  of  freedom,  the  gift  of 
Hon.  Asa  Tarbel  Newhall,  a  native  of  this  town  and  an  ex- 
mayor  of  Lynn.  The  building  accommodates  two  schools, 
one  up  stairs  and  one  down.  It  was  built  in  1871,  the 
expense  not  to  exceed  $4,000.  It  is  surmounted  by  a 
cupola,  and  .looks  as  if  education  there  is  in  quite  a  flourish- 
ing condition.  A  cut  is  given  in  this  work  of  it,  with  the 
children  of  the  two  schools  assembled  in  front  on  a  November 
day. 

One  thing  is  certain,  birchen  rods  do  not   grow  as  near  the 
schoolhouse  door  as  they  did  many  years  ago. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  4 1 

The  primary  school  at  the  Centre  is  in  the  old  town  hall, 
which  has  been  used  for  many  years,  although  not  at  all  times, 
for  its  convenience.  It  underwent  considerable  freshening  dur- 
ing 1894,  and  is  really  quite  a  pretty  schoolroom. 

It  is  quite  near  the  Centre  School  house,  where  from  the 
liberty  pole  floats  the  star-spangled  banner ;  and  the  old 
church  of  the  fathers  has  been  used  for  as  great  a  variety  of 
uses  as  any  other  building,  besides  enjoying  a  green  old  age 
indicative  of  further  usefulness. 

It  is  doubtful  if  there  is  another  schoolroom  in  the  State 
where  scholars  assemble  that  has  attained  the  age  of  this. 
Here  scholars  have  thought  for  themselves.  Some  who  have 
been  but  little  at  school  have  studied  elsewhere.  Years  ago 
one  of  the  committee,  in  making  remarks  to  the  school, 
used  to  state  that  all  the  books  he  studied  at  school  were 
the  Psalter  and  the  spelling  book.  One  of  the  nicest  pen- 
men I  ever  knew  declared  that  he  never  wrote  but  a  single 
sheet  of  paper,  except  what  he  did  for  himself;  and  yet 
he  has  blessed  thousands  with  his  writing  schools  and  in 
other  ways. 

Those  who  left  these  schools  have  found  their  ways  into 
others  and  graduated  with  distinction.  Even  the  one  who 
studied  but  the  Psalter  and  spelling  book  represented  this 
town  in  no  uncertain  way,  and  his  children,  grandchildren,  and 
their  children  have  been  an  honor  to  the  town  from  which 
they  sprung. 

When  the  Academy  at  Bradford  was  opened,  it  will  be  re- 
membered it  was  founded  for  both  sexes,  but  now  the  ladies 
have  taken  sole  possession  of  it.  For  many  years  Lynnfield 
furnished  samples  of  her  ambitious  youth.  For  instance,  Capt. 
John  Perkins,  Rev.  Jacob  Hood,  Mary  M.  Bancroft,  and 
others  might  be  mentioned.  Then  there  are  others  of  a  gen- 
eration later  who  have  graduated  from  the  normal  schools,  and 
we  could  instance  a  family  of  four  at   one  time, —  a  quartet  of 


42  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

teachers  surely.  Lynnfield  always  furnished  a  large  quota  of 
teachers  as  far  back  as  the  memory  of  man  or  woman  run- 
neth, and  perhaps  as  good  as  the  average.  Mrs.  Emily  P. 
Coney,  for  many  many  years  an  excellent  teacher  in  the  public 
schools  in  Chelsea  and  other  places,  was  school  committee  till 
she  declined  a  re-election.  Mrs.  E.  W.  Oilman,  wife  of  Judge 
Oilman,  faithfully  served  for  years,  even  while  she  was  teach- 
ing in  Boston ;  and  now  we  have  one  thoroughly  interested  in 
education  at  the  present  time  in  the  efficient  person  of 
Mrs.  Hattie  F.  Russell.  Nor  must  we  omit  an  item  here,  al- 
though it  has  no  application  as  we  are  aware  to  any  of  the 
three  instances  of  school  committee  just  mentioned,  but  cer- 
tainly extends  back  a  century.  It  is  this,  that  a  remarkable 
number  of  ladies,  after  having  taught  school  for  longer  or 
shorter  terms,  have  consented  to  marry  the  members  of  the 
school  committees,  and  live  and  die,  for  better  or  worse,  in  this 
town  ;  and  we  once  heard  a  bachelor  aver  that  when  he  wished 
to  be  married,  if  he  found  a  ''  hill  of  difficulty  "  in  the  way, 
he  would  coax  the  town  to  put  him  in  as  school  committee, 
and  he  seemed  to  think  the  point  was  gained. 

A  list  of  the  committees  of  the  schools  embraces  most  of 
those  competent  for  the  office,  and  one  of  the  teachers  who 
have  served  our  pubHc  schools,  sowing  the  seed  that  sprung  up 
in  after  years>  proved  to  be  one  who  has  since  had  his 
$500,000  to  give  away  at  a  time.  It  would  show  the  scien- 
tific farmer,  the  military  man  whose  name  has  a  handle  to  it, 
the  minister,  and  his  "better  half"  too,  besides  many  a  lady 
well  known  in  these  parts.  Lynnfield  has  no  high  school,  but 
years  ago  she  generously  oifered  to  transport  scholars  who 
might  wish  to  go  out  of  town,  and  last  year  nearly  a  dozen 
responded  to  the  call. 

The  report  for  schools  of  1881  was  remarkably  concise. 

We  hope  that  this  good  old  town  will  in  the  future  as  much 
as  in  the  past  be  the  patron  of  education,  and  that  its  scholars 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  43 

may  honor  it,  its  schools,  and  themselves  as  much  as  those 
have  in  days  of  yore. 

"  Close  by  the  church  spire  stands  the  school." 

SCHOOL    COMMITTEES. 

Daniel  Mansfield,  1814,  1816,  1817,  1818,  1819,  1820. 

Elias  Richardson,  18 14. 

Col.  Joel  Hewes,  1814,  1815,  1816,  1817,  1818,  1821. 

Col.  Matthew  Cox,  181 5. 

Hon.  Asa  T.  Newhall,  1815,  1821. 

Capt.  Ebenezer  Hart,  18 15. 

Herbert  Richardson,  181 5. 

Daniel  Needham,  Esq.,  1816,  18 17,  1818,  1821. 

John  Bryant,  1819,  1820,  1821. 

Dea.  Oliver  Emerson,  1819,  1822. 

Samuel  Wiley,  1820. 

Benjamin  Cox,  1820. 

Joshua  Hewes,  1821. 

Bowman  Viles,  Esq.,  1821. 

Capt.  Henry  Bancroft,  1822. 

Capt.  John  Upton,  1823,  1829,  1830,  1838. 

Gen.  Josiah  Newhall,  1823,  1825,  1827,  1828,  1838,  1839, 
1840,  1841,  1843,  1844,  1846,  1852,  1853,  1858,  1859,  i860, 
1861,  1862,  1863,  1864,  1865,  1866. 

Col.  Joel  Hewes,  1823,  1825,  1827. 

Rev.  Joseph  Searle,  1824,  1825,  1826,  1827. 

Hon.  Asa  T.  Newhall,  1823,  1825,  1826,  1830,  1833,  1834, 
1836. 

Col.  Matthew  Cox,  1825,  1830,  1837. 

Daniel  Needham,  Esq.,  1823,  1825. 

Rev.  Mr.  Jones,  1824. 

Benjamin  Wiley,  1826. 

John  Bryant,  1826. 


44 


HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 


David  Needham,  1826. 

Dea.  Oliver  Emerson,  1826,  1834,  1841,  1849,  1850, 
1856. 

Rev.  Warren  Emerson,  1826,  1827,  1828,  1829,  1830. 

Dea.  John  Perkins,  1827,  1828. 

Andrew  Mansfield,  Esq.,  1827,  1829,  1830,  1832,  1833, 
1842,  1847,  1848. 

Wright  Newhall,  1827. 

John  Aborn,  1830. 

Bowman  Viles,  Esq.,  1830,  1833,  1836. 

Joshua  Hawkes,  1831,  1834. 

Rev.  Reuben  Porter,  183 1. 

Rev.  Mark  Staples,  1831. 

William  Perkins,  1831,  1832,  1835,  1836. 

Daniel  Mansfield,  1832,  1837,  1853. 

Joshua  Hewes,  Esq.,  1832,  1839,  1840,  1842. 

Moses  Richardson,  1831. 

Jacob  Wiley,  1832,  1834. 

Edward  Upton,  1834,  1835. 

Rev.  Joseph  Hill,  1835,  1836. 

Rev.  John  Bailey,  1835. 

George  F.  Whittredge,  1835. 

Thomas  B.  Newhall,  Esq.,  1836. 

Oliver  Emerson,  Jr.,  1837. 

Capt.  Henry  Bancroft,  1838. 

John  Perkins,  Esq.,  1839,  1840,  1843,  1844,  1847,  1848. 

Willard  Wiley,  1842,  1845,  1847. 

John  Danforth,  Jr.,  Esq.,  1841. 

William  E.  Cox,  1843,  1844. 

William  A.  Whittredge,  1845,  1846,  1847,  1848. 

P.  St.  M.  Andrews,  1845. 

Dea.  William  Smith,  1849,  1850,  1851,  1852,  1853. 

Benjamin  U.  Preston,  1849,  1850,  1851. 

Joseph  Hart,  1815. 


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03 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  45 

Samuel  N.  Newcomb,  1853. 

Israel  A.  Parsons,  1852,  1853,  1861,  1862. 

Rev.  Ariel  P.  Chute,  1854,  1855. 

Rev.  U.  W.  Condit,  1854,  1855. 

Rev.  Luther  Walcott,  1854,   1855. 

David  A.  Titcomb,  1856,  1857. 

James  G.  Perkins,  1856,  1857,  1858,  1859,  i860,  1861. 

Israel  A.  Parsons,  Jr.,  1857,  1858,  1859. 

Joseph  Smith,  i860. 

Ebenezer  Parsons,  1862. 

James  Hewes,  1863,  1864,  1865. 

Henry  E.  Smith,  1863,  1864,  1865,   1866. 

Rev.  M.  Bradford  Boardman,  1866,  1867,  1868,  1869. 

Chas.  W.  H.  Coney,  1867. 

George  L.  Hawkes,  1867,  1868,  1869. 

Jeremiah  Coney,  1868. 

Alfred  Wiley,  1869. 

Rev.  Jacob  Hood,  1870,  1871,  1872,  1873,  1874. 

Albert  Mansfield,  1870,  1871,  1872,  1873,  1874,  1875. 

Emily  P.  Coney,  1870,  187 1,  1872,  1873,  1874. 

Rev.  D.  B.  Scott,  1875. 

Dea.  George  E.  Herrick,  1875,  1876,  1877,  1878,  1879, 
1884,  1885,  1886,  1888,  1890,  1891. 

Joseph  S.  Moulton,  1876,  1877. 

Francis  P.  Russell,  1876. 

Henry  Danforth,  1877,  1878,  1879,  1880. 

Andrew  Mansfield,  1878,  1879,  1880. 

Warren  Newhall,  1880,  1881,  1882,  1883,  1884,  1885, 
1891. 

E.  W.  M.  Gilman,  1881,  1882,  1883,  1884. 

Benjamin  T.  Brown,  1881,  1882,  1886,  1888. 

Albert  E.  Copeland,  1885. 

W.J.  Munroe,  1886,  1891. 

Ebenezer  Parsons,  1890. 


46  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

Oscar  I.  Stowell,  1890,  1892,  1893,  1894. 

J.  Winslow  Perkins,  1892. 

George  M.  Roundy,  1892. 

Hattie  F.  Russell,  1893,  1894. 

Annie  L.  Stevens,  1893. 

George  H.  S.  Driver,  1894. 


OF   LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  47 


CHAPTER   IV. 

Annals,  1635-1700. 

Then  these  broad  vales  and  quiet  hills 

Responded  to  the  piercing  cry 
Of  wolf  or  wild-cat;  at  these  rills 

Drank  trembling  fawns,  so  coy  and  shy. 

Forests  with  thick,  umbrageous  gloom 
Spread  far  and  wide,  wild  fruits  matured 

Unplucked  by  man;  the  choice  perfume 
Of  flowers  no  human  foot  allured. 

The  hawk  and  raven  built  their  nest 

Unscared;  the  timid  fish,  uncaught, 
Swam  the  deep  pools;  and  Nature  dressed 

In  pristine  garb,  with  grace  untaught, 

Looked  queenly  in  the  eye  of  Heaven. 

Lowly  and  sweet  the  anthem  then 
At  blush  of  morn  or  calm  of  even. 

Along  each  winding  stream  and  glen 

Stretch  groves  of  pale,  deciduous  trees; 

The  slopes  are  crowned  with  evergreen; 
No  woodman's  axe  hath  humbled  these, 

No  vandal's  touch  had  marred  the  scene. 

Rev.  E.  R.  Hodgman. 

In  the  Journal  of  Mr.  Obadiah  Turner,  one  of  the  legacies 
of  James  R.  Newhall,  the  eminent  historian  of  Lynn,  is  a 
chapter  recounting  a  journey  "  afar  into  ye  wildernesse  "  to  the 


48  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

west    and    north    of  Lynn  which   describes    the    country   so 
vividly  that  it  is  here  copied  entire  : — 

"  1630  Julie  ye  28.  On  ye  last  4th  day  some  of  vs  did  goe  afar  into 
ye  wildernesse  towards  ye  river  on  the  west  and  thence  about  by  ye  hills 
on  ye  north.  And  this  we  did  that  we  might  discover  what  ye  land  and 
productions  of  this  our  heritage  might  be.  We  found  valies  of  mighty 
trees  of  such  kinds  as  Old  England  is  a  stranger  too.  And  wee  made  sore 
our  feet  by  ye  climbing  of  hills  among  rocks  and  thornie  brambles  and 
vines.  Great  store  of  wild  berries  were  on  every  hand.  Among  them 
were  many  black  shining  berries  as  big  as  ye  pills  of  ye  apothecaries  and 
these  berries  be  of  sweete  milde  taste  and  grow  in  clusters  on  low  bushes 
with  light  green  leaves  without  thornes, 

"  Wee  did  pluck  some  and  found  them  savory  to  eat  in  fire  cakes  and  did 
think  them  apt  for  puddings.  Then  there  were  found  other  large  shining 
berries  growing  on  creeping  vines  of  most  lucious  taste,  and  we  did  eat 
all  till  our  mouths  were  black  as  ye  chimney  back. 

**  As  wee  journied  we  did  sometimes  see  skulking  about  among  ye  trees 
what  we  conjectured  to  be  Indjans  or  Devils  !  jt  patent  yt  ye  great  foe  of  all 
Ciod  his  people  hath  already  begun  to  harrass  and  plague  this  godlie  com- 
pany. But  we  do  expect  to  have  over  from  Nehumkeage  a  big  ordinance 
whereby  to  defend  ourselves  from  ye  one  and  some  godlie  bookes  and  cat- 
echisms to  fortifie  against  ye  other  And  God  being  on  our  side  wee  feare 
not  what  Indjans  or  Devils  can  doe. 

"  In  a  vallie  wee  found  a  small  store  of  corn  growing  wch  wee  did  conjec- 
ture belonged  to  ye  savages.  And  a  little  way  off  we  did  see  some  fruits 
growing  whereof  wee  knew  not  ye  name  or  use,  but  did  surmise  they  were 
all  for  food.  But  we  saw  none  watching  thereabouts  and  no  habita- 
tions. 

"  Of  wild  animals  wee  spied  but  a  few  But  we  heard  jt  terrible 
roarings  as  if  there  were  bears  or  unicorns  away  off  in  ye  wildernesse 
or  may  be  they  were  wild  asses  or  Devils  seeking  to  devour  God  his 
people. 

"  We  did  see  some  reptiles  and  serpents  and  two  we  saw  had  rattils  in 
their  tails  wherewith  they  made  a  strange  whirring  noise  much  like  ye 
nose  of  ye  night  watch  in  London  only  not  so  mightie  a  rattill. 

"  Of  birds  wee  saw  great  store.  Some  eagles  and  hawkes  and  manie  of 
wch  wee  knew  not  ye  names.  But  we  are  of  a  truth  in  a  paradise  of 
those  moving  things  yt  be  good  for  food. 

"  In  ye  woodes*in  ye  pondes  and  on  ye  seashore  wee  have  multitudes  of 
fowle    fish    and   game   most   savory  to   ye   appetite    and  healthy    for  ye 


JONATHAN"    BRYANT. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  49 

stomach.     Ye  Israelites  fared  less  dantilie  than  we  wherefor  praised  be 
God. 

"  It  was  somwhat  within  ye  night  when  we  came  in  sight  of  home.  In 
coming  over  ye  hillock  nigh  ye  doore  of  our  habitation  I  discried  a  daintie 
white  rabbit  as  yt  seemed  wch  I  deemed  would  make  a  savory  dish  for 
breakfast  on  ye  morrow.  Giving  chase  I  was  soon  almost  upon  him, 
when  lo  he  whisked  up  a  bushy  tail  over  his  hinder  parts  and  then  threw 
jt  towards  me  with  a  mightie  rush !  and  jt  shed  upon  me  a  liquor  of  such 
stinke  jt  nothing  but  ye  opening  of  ye  bottomless  pit  can  equal.  My  eyes 
&  my  breath  seemed  stopped  forever.  "When  I  recovered  ye  smell  re- 
mained upon  me  insomuch  yt  they  would  fain  drive  me  from  ye  house  say- 
ing yt  they  could  not  abide  within  while  I  remained.  And  I  still  carry  jt 
about  with  me  in  a  yet  terrible  degree.  I  am  parsuaded  yt  this  is  another 
device  of  Satan  yt  fourfooted  beast  being  an  impe  let  to  do  ye  Devil  his 
baptism  by  sprinkling." 

1635.  The  first  record  that  relates  to  the  territory  we  are 
now  studying  may  be  found  in  the  Colonial  Records,  which 
inform  us  "  There  is  500  acres  of  land  and  a  fresh  pond  with 
a  little  island  containing  about  two  acres,  granted  to  John 
Humphrey,  Esq.,  lying  between  north  and  west  of  Saugus, 
provided  he  take  no  part  of  500  acres  within  five  miles 
of  any  town  now  planted.  Also  it  is  agreed  that  the  In- 
habitants of  Saugus  and  Salem  shall  have  liberty  to  build 
four  houses  upon  the  said  Island  and  to  lay  in  such  provis- 
ions as  they  shall  judge  necessary  for  their  use  in  tyme  of 
needed 

This  grant,  the  reader  will  see,  was  at  the  pond  now  known 
as  Humphrey's  Pond,  or  Suntaug  Lake.  Mr.  John  Humphrey 
died  in  1661,  and  his  administrators,  one  of  whom  was  Joseph 
Humphrey,  claimed  the  five  hundred  acres  in  Lynnfield,  which 
had  to  be  given  them  by  the  Court,  although  it  had  never  been 
occupied  by  the  owner. 

1637.  "March  13.  Lynn  was  granted  six  miles  into  the 
country  and  Mr.  Hawthorne  and  Lieut.  Davenport  to  see  how, 
and  inform  how  the  land  lyeth,  beyond  whither  it  be  fit  for 
another  plantation  or  no."     This  grant  was  given  to  Lynn,  as 


50  .  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

the  people  had  not  sufficient  room,  and  petitioned  to  the 
General  Court  for  more.  The  Court  afterward  ordered  that 
the  Indians  should  have  satisfaction  for  their  right  at  Lynn. 
The  reader  will  see  that  the  six  miles  into  the  country  included 
the  territory  now  called  "  Lynnfield." 

Plymouth  had  been  settled  but  seventeen  years,  Salem  not 
ten,  and  Reading,  including  what  is  now  Wakefield,  was  not 
granted  to  Lynn  for  seven  years  after.  Lynnfield  was  prob- 
ably immediately  settled  by  citizens  of  Lynn  arid  some  from 
Salem,  and  the  boundary  line  of  the  two  towns  met  in  Hum- 
phrey's Pond. 

Within  five  years  from  1637  many  families  had  removed 
here,  mostly  from  the  mother  town  of  Lynn. 

The  centuries  roll  and  pass  away, 
Soon  night  succeeds  each  fleeting  day, 
But  let  us  turn  our  wondering  eyes, 
And  seek  a  former  sun  and  skies. 

Backward  turn  two  hundred  sixty  years, 
See  how  this  place  to  us  appears. 
Before  the  white  man  settled  here. 
In  scenes  now  to  us  so  dear. 

The  hills  stood  firm,  the  valleys  wild 
Like  Nature's  parks  for  Nature's  child. 
Few  towns  were  settled  far  or  near, 
To  shield  the  coming  one  or  lull  his  fear. 

Old  Lynn  to  the  south  the  picture  fills, 
With  ocean  grand  and  porphyry  hills; 
Salem  east,  with  its  peaceful  name. 
Before  its  renowned  East  India  fame. 

Boston  is  sleeping  yet  away 
Through  rivers  deep;  its  hills  are  gray. 
And  birds  and  beast  the  forest  roam. 
Where  now  is  found  many  a  happy  home. 


OE    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  5 1 

The  woods  were  still,  trails  were  rough, 
Indeed,  to-day  there's  still  enough, 
Right  here,  where  came  the  men  of  God, 
Right  here,  where  our  feet  since  have  trod. 

But  we  know  the  white  man's  foot  has  come. 
And  seen  the  landscape  of  our  home. 
One  grant  upon  the  records  make, 
Five  hundred  acres,  and  the  silver  lake. 

We  love  to  find,  and  point,  and  trace 
Each  welcome,  fond,  familiar  place. 
To  tread  in  the  steps  they  once  trod 
Who  calmly  rest  beneath  the  sod. 

1638.  It  is  recorded  that  a  terrible  earthquake  took  place 
this  year,  the  first  since  the  country  was  settled. 

Let  us  try  to  think  of  the  home  that  welcomed  the  first 
colonists  here.  When  they  arrived,  think  of  the  contrast 
presented  at  the  present  time.  Above  their  heads  were  the 
tops  of  trees,  centuries  old,  woven  and  twined  together.  No 
street,  nothing  but  Indian  trails  wound  under  their  dense 
foliage,  which  was  so  thick  that  scarcely  any  underbrush  could 
cumber  the  ground.  The  mighty  oak,  the  towering  pine,  the 
graceful  elm,  and  many  another  species  served  to  form  the 
arches  of  Nature's  cathedral,  while  it  was  carpeted  with  the 
thick,  rustling  leaves  that  fell  from  the  branches  above. 
Where  now  are  open  fields  were  once  dense  forests,  and  vice 
versa.  The  rivulets,  some  large,  some  small,  passed  un- 
checked to  the  sea  but  a  few  miles  away.  But  a  few  white 
people  lived  on  the  continent,  and  these  were  strangers, 
separated  by  magnificent  distances  with  impassable  ways.  No 
sound  of  the  locomotive  was  heard,  and  the  roar  of  the  water 
and  the  deep  woods  was  the  nearest  resemblance  of  it.  The 
beautiful  wild  flower  bloomed  in  silence,  or  the  trailing  vine 
clambered  over  the  rock  in  solitude.     The  berries  and  nuts 


52  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

of  the  woods  were  ungathered  from  year  to  year,  except  by 
the  squirrel  and  bird,  who  found  enough  and  to  spare. 
Everything  was  new  and  untried,  and  they  certainly  deserve 
the  "meed  of  praise"  who  laid  the  foundations  for  such  com- 
fortable, pleasant  homes,  and  for  their  wonderful  patience 
and  uncomplaining  toil. 

Previous  to  this  time  probably  the  foot  of  the  white  man 
had  never  crossed  its  surface,  except  Mr.  Humphrey's  land 
and  a  little  beyond. 

Till  this  time  it  had  been  the  residence  of  the  red  man  and 
wild  beast.  Here  the  son  of  the  forest  was  born,  lived,  and 
died,  and  was  buried  on  the  sunny  sides  of  these  hills  with  his 
war  implements  placed  around  him ;  here  he  sang  the  war 
song,  smoked  the  pipe,  hunted  the  forest,  and  worshipped  the 
Great  •  Spirit.  Here  the  black-haired,  high-cheek-boned, 
large- shouldered,  brawny-armed  son  of  the  forest  dwelt,  while 
the  squaws  raised  the  corn,  melons,  beans,  etc.,  and  sang  to 
the  papooses,  or  arrayed  themselves  in  wampum,  beads, 
feathers,  and  skins,  with  the  waters  of  the  lake  for  a  looking- 
glass  and  the  forests  for  a  flower  garden  or  the  hillsides  for  a 
lawn,  with  the  smoke  of  their  wigwams  curHng  among  the 
valleys,  where  they  cooked  the  hasty  pudding  or  corn  cake,  or 
roasted  the  meats  which  had  been  caught  in  traps  or  shot  with 
the  bow  and  arrow. 

But  the  poor  Indian  has  gone  to  the  silent  land,  leaving 
that  behind  him  which  reminds  us  of  what  we  have  heard  of 
the  primitive  sons  of  the  land,  —  the  streams,  the  woods, 
Indian  corn,  with  various  Indian  names  ;  and  now  and  then  we 
meet  a  person  whose  gait  and  features  at  least  make  one  think 
of  him.  It  is  said  that  in  1633  the  smallpox  swept  off  the 
Indians  in  great  numbers ;  whole  towns  were  depopulated, 
and  so  great  was  the  epidemic  that  the  living  were  unable  to 
bury  the  dead,  so  that  they  were  found  years  after  above  the 
ground. 


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OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  53 

The  Indians  once  had  a  trap  at  the  north  part  of  the  town 
and  another  in  what  is  North  Reading.  The  former  was 
called  "  trap  below,"  and  the  latter  "  trap  above,"  and  when 
the  houses  were  first  built  in  these  neighborhoods  they  were 
called  by  the  names  of  the  traps.  The  place  where  the  wolf 
pits  were  is  still  recognized. 

In  all  the  years  pissed  since  the  beginning  of  the  settlement 
to  the  present,  relics  of  the  Indians  have  been  found  in  the 
fields  where  they  roved  and  more  particularly  the  streams 
near  which  they  lived.  No  doubt  many  a  string  of  wampum 
has  been  collected  by  them  from  the  shores  in  this  place,  and 
there  are  pestlts,  gouges,  sinkers,  multitudes  of  arrow-points, 
etc.,  which  can  be  shown  to  attest  the  Indian's  footprints. 

Over  the  line  in  Middleton  lived  Will,  whose  grave  is  still 
pointed  out.  The  brook  at  the  eastern  part  of  the  town  is 
named  for  him,  and  all  along  its  banks  have  been  found  the 
stone  relics  above  mentioned.  Many  years  ago  a  tortoise 
made  of  stone,  of  beautiful  workmanship,  was  found,  which  was 
supposed  to  be  an  Indian  idol,  and  is  probably  in  existence 
at  the  present  time. 

Many  large  stone  relics  have  also  been  gathered  near  the  mill 
and  on  Saugus  River,  and  an  Indian  legend  of  Saugus  River 
we  copy  from  one  of  the  historians  of  Lynn,  J.  R.  Newhall :  — 

"  The  Indians  gravely  informed  the  settlers  that  when  the  Great  Spirit 
had  got  the  earth  nearly  prepared  for  its  garniture  he  happened  to  be 
walking  around  one  fine  morning  somewhere  up  at  the  north  and  espied  an 
enormous  serpent  basking  in  the  sun  among  some  spare  bowlders.  Seizing 
one  of  the  bowlders  of  many  tons  weight  he  hurled  it  at  the  monster* 
Unluckily  the  aim  was  imperfect  and  the  serpent  started  with  great  speed  for 
the  ocean.  His  assailant  however  rapidly  followed,  dealing  a  blow  whenever 
within  reach,  and  it  was  only  by  exercising  all  his  powers  of  speed  and 
cunning,  sometimes  dodging  back  between  the  legs  of  his  pursuer  and  some- 
times gliding  to  the  right  or  left,  that  he  was  finally  able  to  reach  the  sea. 
The  earth  not  then  having  quite  hardened,  the  serpent's  body  sank  somewhat 
and  thus  was  plunged  the  tortuous  channel  of  Saugus  River."  —  J.  R.  N. 


54  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

One  of  Lynnfield's  sons  thus  writes  :  — 

But  time  with  dusky  wings  has  flown 

Across  the  red  man's  way, 
Has  clouded  all  his  brightest  hopes, 

And  left  no  cheering  ray. 

The  forest  falls  beneath  the  stroke 

That  sounds  her  children's  knell. 
And  furnace  fires  and  anvil-blows 

Disturb  the  silent  dell. 

The  rivers,  once  so  free  and  gay. 

Obey  the  white  man's  will, 
And  patient  bear  the  laden  keel 

Or  turn  the  busy  mill. 

Now  stately  buildings  proudly  raise 

Their  beauty  towards  the  sky, 
Where  once  the  peaceful  wigwam  stood 

With  brooklet  babbling  by. 

How  sadly  toward  the  western  wave 

The  Indian  winds  his  way  ! 

And  dazzling  in  the  papoose  face 

The  evening  sunbeams  play. 

Warren  Newhall. 

The  first  inhabitants  found  plenty  of  game,  with  which  the 
woods  and  waters  abounded.  The  spontaneous  productions 
of  the  soil  were  abundant,  but  have  grown  less  year  by  year. 
Here  were  the  bear,  moose,  wolf,  fox,  raccoon,  woodchuck, 
skunk,  martin,  hare,  rabbit,  squirrel,  mole,  mouse,  the  beaver, 
muskrat,  mink,  otter,  goose,  gull,  crane,  eagle,  woodcock,  quail, 
whip-poor-will,  crow,  hawk,  owl,  blue  jay,  snowbird,  partridge, 
woodpecker,  bobolink,  blackbird,  lark,  snipe,  pigeon,  swallow, 
thrush,  yellowbird,  catbird ;  for  snakes,  the  rattle,  striped, 
green,  black,  and  water;  for  fishes,  trout,  pickerel,  eel, 
perch,  pout,  shiner,  and  sucker  ;  and  for  insects,  grasshopper, 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  55 

beetle,  wasp,  cricket,  butterfly,  hornet,  mosquito,  ant,  spider, 
flies,  moth,  worms,  and  bugs. 

We  think  part  of  an  ancient  poem  written  by  Gov.  Brad- 
ford, of  Plymouth,  as  applicable  to  this  place  as  to  the  home 
of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  :  — 

"  All  sorts  of  grain,  which  our  own  land  doth  yield, 
Was  hither  brought,  and  sown  in  every  field, 
As  wheat  and  rye,  barley,  oats,  beans,  and  pease. 
Here  all  thrive,  and  they  profit  from  them  raise 
All  sorts  of  roots,  and  hirbs  in  gardens  grow. 
Parsnips,  carrotts,  turnips,  or  what  you'll  sow. 
Onions,  melons,  cucumburs,  radishes. 
Skirrets,  beets,  coleworts,  and  fair  cabbages. 
Here  grows  fine  flowers  many  and  mongst  those 
The  fair  white  lily,  and  sweet  fragrant  rose. 
Many  good  wholesome  berries  here  you'll  find, 
Fit  for  man's  use,  almost  of  every  kind. 
Nuts  and  grapes  of  several  sorts  are  here, 
If  you  will  take  the  trouble  them  to  seek  for." 

The  first  settlers  had  few  of  the  comforts  which  we  their 
descendants  enjoy.  Theirs  were  rough,  unfinished,  un- 
painted  dwellings  with  steep  roofs.  They  had  no  carriages 
as  used  now.  A  man  and  his  wife,  with  a  pillion,  would 
ride  for  miles  together  on  a  single  horse  and  perhaps  carry 
a  child.  Sleighs  were  used  before  wagons,  but  they  were 
so  rough  and  heavy  and  such  untasteful  afl"airs  that  many  a 
poor  child  would  exclaim  "  orful "  at  the  very  vehicles  in 
which  our  forefathers  and  foremothers  took  all  the  comfort 
imaginable. 

The  first  chaises  were  quite  different  from  nowadays, 
being  actually  lined  with  brick  to  keep  them  from  being  blown 
over,  it  is  said. 

Books  were  very  scarce,  and  many  a  man's  library  might  be 
almost  put  in  a  hat.  Newspapers  were  not  published  in  the 
country. 


56  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

Things  were  very  economically  used  in  these  primitive 
times.  A  Bible  worth  a  hundred  dollars  could  now  be  bought 
for  five.  The  inside  could  be  read.  The  fly  leaves  were 
sometimes  used  for  a  journal,  and  the  leather  cover  was  often 
used  as  a  razor  strop  till  it  was  an  irreverent-looking  volume. 

Land  was  cheap.  Not  far  from  the  cider  mill  are  twenty- 
five  acres  of  land  which  were  once  bought  for  five  pistareens 
($i)  and  two  gallons  of  molasses.  It  was  sold  near  the  be- 
ginning of  this  century  for  ten  dollars,  and  a  few  years  ago 
four  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  wood  was  cut  from  a  part  of  it. 

Stoves  were  unheard  of  and  unthought  of,  and  the  first  one 
brought  to  town  was  as  much  of  a  curiosity  as  St.  Paul's 
Cathedral. 

Money  was  scarce,  and  articles  and  provisions  were  ex- 
changed for  each  other ;  even  ministers'  salaries,  a  part  of 
them,  were  paid  in  articles  of  home  consumption. 

The  Sabbath  was  observed  with  greatest  strictness.  People 
were  not  allowed  to  ride  fast,  or  visit  from  place  to ,  place, 
and  every  man  was  expected  to  go  to  meeting  at  least  four 
times  a  year. 

Nearly  every  family  was  ponderous,  the  small  ones  being 
the  rare  exception. 

The  colonists  were  governed  somewhat  in  the  matter  of 
dress  by  the  General  Court.  As  early  as  165 1,  it  prohibited 
all  persons  whose  "  estate  did  not  exceed  two  hundred  pounds 
from  wearing  any  gold  or  silver  lace,  or  any  bone  lace  above 
two  shillings  per  yard."  It  also  sounds  remarkable  to  think 
that  selectmen  were  notified  to  "  see  what  persons  wore  costly 
apparell  especially  of  ribbands  and  great  bootes,  as  well  as  silk 
or  off  any  hoods  or  scarfs." 

Many  an  humble  family  of  these  times  possesses  common  arti- 
cles which  two  hundred  years  ago  would  have  been  luxuries  of 
untold  value,  and  many  of  the  first  families  of  that  time  practised 
economies  that  now  would  almost  raise  a  shriek  of  persecution. 


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OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  57 

But  no  one  had  to  ask,  "Who  is  my  neighbor?  "  for  they 
were  bound  together,  and  one  helped  another,  and  there  was 
not  the  cause  for  rivalries  of  the  present  time.  In  this  respect 
they  had  the  advantage  of  nowadays,  when  one  knows  not 
the  other,  and,  what  is  more,  does  not  wish  to. 

1 66 1.  This  year  Mr.  John  Humphrey,  who  was  the  first 
grantee  of  the  land  in  this  town,  died,  and  perhaps  a  short 
sketch  may  be  proper  in  this  place,  —  although  he  never  settled 
here,  —  which  we  glean  from  several  sources.  "  He  was  born  in 
Dorchester,  England,  and  possessed  a  good  education  besides 
an  excellent  reputation.  His  wife  was  Susan,  the  daughter  of 
Thomas  Earl  of  Lincoln,  who  after  she  came  to  this  country 
longed  to  return  to  her  former  home.  Mr.  Humphrey  came 
to  this  colony  in  1634,  and  held  many  important  offices  in  it. 
The  year  that  he  died,  his  administrators,  Joseph  Humphrey 
and  Edmund  Batters,  claimed  his  property  in  this  town,  con- 
sisting of  the  500  acres  of  land  and  fresh  pond  which  were 
given  him  years  before  by  the  Court.  He  had  six  children 
and  a  large  estate." 

A  part  of  the  five  hundred  acres  —  more  than  one  third  of 
it  —  was  owned  afterwards  by  Joseph  Newhall,  who  was  known 
as  Ensign.  It  was  called  the  "Pond  Farm,"  his  homestead 
lying  to  the  southeasterly,  the  lake  being  the  northern  bound- 
ary of  the  land  known  as  the  Pond  Farm. 

Could  Mr.  Humphrey  or  Ensign  Newhall  revisit  the  lake, 
or  even  some  of  the  owners  since  their  tmie,  what  would  they 
say  at  the  changes  that  have  occurred  in  the  lapse  of  time  ? 
Perhaps  the  pond  might  still  wear  much  of  its  beautiful  pristine 
appearance,  but  its  surroundings  have  greatly  changed,  and  if 
a  traveller  of  1635  and  1895  should  meet  there  we  can  im- 
agine the  conversation  in  part. 

1663.  The  sawmill  on  Saugus  River  between  Wakefield 
and  Lynnfield  was  built  this  year.  It  was  owned  by  John 
Poole,  who  lived  on  what  is  now  the  Cox  estate. 


58  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

The  first  bridge  over  the  river  was  not  built  till  sixty-four 
years  after,  in  1737,  by  the  two  towns  of  which  the  river  was 
the  boundary. 

1664.  It  is  said  that  a  comet  appeared  this  year,  lasting 
more  than  three  months. 

1670.  This  year  potatoes  were  introduced  into  this  part 
of  the  country,  and  a  man  having  a  bushel  did  not  know  what 
to  do  with  them ;  not  the  case  at  the  present  time,  when  they 
form  so  important  a  part  of  food  not  only  for  man  but  beast. 

1672.  This  year  Thomas  Wellman  died,  one  of  the  earliest 
settlers  of  Lynn  End ;  his  wife's  name  was  Elizabeth. 

1675.  This  was  the  year  of  the  Bloody  Brook  disaster, 
which  happened  at  South  Deerfield,  on  the  i8th  of  September, 
and  which  was,  it  was  said,  the  saddest  day  that  ever  befell 
New  England.  The  historian  Palfrey  says :  "  The  company 
of  ninety  picked  men  led  by  Capt.  Lothrop,  and  but  seven 
or  eight  at  the  utmost,  escaped  the  savages  who  were  be- 
lieved to  be  not  fewer  than  700.  Lothrop  was  shot  dead 
early  in  the  action.  He  was  a  godly  and  courageous  com- 
mander, but  valor  so  beset  was  unavailing.  One  of  the  Eng- 
lishmen was  stripped  and  left  for  dead,  after  being  first 
wounded  by  a  musket  and  then  by  a  tomahawk,  and  yet  he 
escaped.  Another  forced  his  way  through  with  his  musket, 
with  which  he  laid  about  him  till  one  arm  after  the  other 
was  broken.  The  dead  were  all  buried  in  one  grave,  now 
covered  with  a  memorial  stone  which  arrests  the  traveller's 
attention  on  the  side  of  the  highway  in  South  Deerfield.  This 
was  at  Bloody  Brook."  Such  is  the  brief  story  of  the  company 
known  as  The  Flower  of  Essex,  the  men  belonging  to  this 
part  of  the  State.  How  many  went  from  here  we  know  not, 
but  we  do  know  Stephen  Wellman,  of  what  is  now  Lynnfield, 
was  killed  with  the  others. 

1678.  The  Charlestown  farm  has  been  a  noted  land- 
mark in  this  place  for  more  than  two  centuries.     The  first  par- 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS. 


59 


sonage  stood  upon  a  part  of  it  that  was  exchanged  by  the 
town  of  Charlestown  and  the  parish  at  Lynn  End  in  1732. 

The  farm  was  owned  by  Richard  Russell,  Esq.,  and  left  by  him 
for  the  use  of  the  poor  of  Charlestown,  Feb.  26,  1678,  and 
confirmed  by  his  executor,  David  Russell.  It  is  said  that  the 
selectmen  of  Charlestown  used  always  once  a  year  to  come 
out  and  spend  the  day  upon  it. 

1688.  The  following  persons  subscribed  the  sums  affixed 
to  their  names  to  build  the  new  meeting-house  at  Reading, 
now  Wakefield,  they  all  being  residents  of  Lynn  End,  now 
Lynnfield. 


John  Pearson  . 
Maudlin  Pearson 
Peter  Haies     . 
Abra'm  Roberts 
Wm.  Robbins  . 
John  Bancroft 
Hannaniah  Hutcheson 
Benj.  Hutchinson 
Edward  Hutchinson 
Isaac  Hart 
Daniel  Gowing 
John  Gowing  . 
Capt.  Tho.  Bancroft. 
Daniel  Eaton  . 
Abr'm  Wellman 
Isaac  Wellman 
Robert  Bates  . 
John  Poole 
Shuball  Stearns 
Timo.  Hartshorne     . 
Robert  Gowing 
Nath'l Gowing . 


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6o  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

Edw'd  Marshall         .         .         .         .  2      lo     6 

John  Townsend  .  .  .  .  200 
Geo.  Lewis  .  .  .  .  .  200 
Tho.  Aelwell     .         .         .         .         .         [Illegible.] 

1692-93.  By  a  law  of  the  Province  enacted  at  this  time  to 
warn  all  strangers  to  leave  town,  if  it  were  not  given  within 
three  months  then  they  were  citizens,  and  if  they  became 
sick  or  poor  the  town  must  aid  them.  Great  care  was  taken 
that  the  laws  should  be  complied  with,  as  all  town  records 
of  that  time  amply  prove.  If  any  person  warned  failed  to 
depart  within  two  weeks,  he  was  waited  upon  out  of  town  by 
the  constable  or  his  order.  A  tradition  of  witchcraft  still 
lingers  as  a  souvenir  of  the  sad  times  of  1692.  It  is  said  that 
Mrs.  Samuel  Hart,  of  the  east  part  of  the  town,  whose  name 
was  Sarah  Endicott,  a  near  relative  of  Gov.  John,  was  seized 
as  a  witch  and  lodged  in  Salem  jail. 

One  morning  her  daughter  arose  and  said,  "  I  am  going  to 
see  mother  to-day,  and  bring  her  home  with  me."  Her  friends 
said  sadly,  *'0h,  no  !"  She  went  to  Salem,  and  word  had  ar- 
rived from  England  that  there  should  be  no  more  executions, 
and  her  mother  came  home  with  her.  The  precinct  had  the 
year  before  lost  by  death  one  of  its  prominent  men.  The 
country  was  new,  and  sad  was  the  state  thereof.  Giles  Corey, 
who  lived  in  West  Peabody,  near  the  Lynnfield  line,  and  whose 
landed  estate  was  about  a  couple  of  miles  from  what  is  now 
the  centre  of  Lynnfield,  had  been  pressed  to  death ;  the  sad 
time  in  Salem  Village,  now  Danvers,  almost  in  sight  of  this 
place,  and  but  a  few  miles  away,  so  that  the  fresh  news  could 
be  brought  from  Salem,  —  all  this,  and  more,  not  knowing 
where  the  dreadful  delusion  might  end  or  who  would  fall  a 
victim,  —  what  a  load  must  have  been  lifted  from  every  heart 
as  well  as  Hait  when  it  ceased  ! 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  6 1 


CHAPTER  V. 
Annals,  1700-1800. 

1700.  We  have  now  passed  on  from  the  sixteenth  to  the 
seventeenth  figures  in  our  hamlet,  and  must  look  about  us. 

1706.  Lynnfield  common  lands  were  laid  out  in  this 
year,  the  town  being  the  second  district  of  Lynn,  which  at  that 
time  was  laid  out  in  seven  districts. 

We  find  the  people  busy  the  first  part  of  the  century  in 
being  set  off  from  Lynn  as  a  separate  parish,  or  precinct,  as  it 
was  called.  Then  came  the  building  of  the  meeting-house 
and  the  settlement  of  the  first  pastor  and  formation  of  the 
church.  Next  the  building  of  a  parsonage  for  the  under  shep- 
herd. When  this  was  done  we  find  them  at  work  improving 
their  meeting-house  ;  and  it  is  wonderful  to  see  the  faith  and 
patience  with  which  these  pioneers  labored,  considering  the 
obstacles  they  overcame. 

The  first  recorded  step  towards  becoming  a  separate  parish 
is  as  follows  :  — 

"Lynn  Farms  Precinct  book,  Book  i. 
1711-1752. 

"Lynn  January  i6.  1711. 
"  Then  ye  inhabitants  of  Lyn-farms  so  called  on  ye  north  side  of  ye 
highway  yt  leads  from  Reading  to  Salem  having  had  information  yt  part 
of  our  inhabitants  are  by  part  of  Reading  drawn  in  a  petition  with  them 
for  the  building  of  a  meeting  house  we  then  met  together  at  the  house  of 
Capt  Bancroft  and  agreed  on  a  plan  for  setting  a  meeting  hous  near 
John  Gowings  where  the  ways  meet  and  now  apply  ourselves  to  ye  town 


62  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

that  we  may  be  a  precint  by  ourselves.  We  then  chose.  Left.  Pearson 
Left  Pool  mister  John  Gowing  Capt  Bancroft,  Shoball  vStearns  a  com- 
mittee to  ye  town  on  our  behalf  and  they  did  then  decide  that  ye  bounds 
of  ye  precint  should  be  as  foloweth,  begining  at  Saugust  River  so 
called  between  ye  land  of  John  Brintnalls  and  John  Jeffries  to  ye  land  of 
John  Hawks  senior  and  ye  bounds  of  ye  land  now  in  his  possession  to  ye 
land  of  Isaac  Larrebee  which  he  bought  of  John  Hawks  and  by  said  land 
to  ye  south  west  corner  of  ye  third  division  of  lotts  and  yt  range  line  to  be 
the  bound  to  the  town  highway  by  Nathanel  Newhalls." 

This  was  Lynnfield  in  the  bud,  as  the  request  was  granted, 
and  ever  after  had  its  separate  meeting-house,  took  care  of  its 
own  highways,  etc. 

1 7 15.  The  precinct  set  off  and  parish  duly  formed,  we  find 
them  busy  building  their  first  house  of  worship,  which  is  still 
standing,  and  which  was  the  only  public  building  for  more 
than  a  half-century,  and  which  has  been  considerably  changed 
since  that  time,  but  contains  the  same  stout,  solid  old  frame 
of  one  hundred  and  eighty  years  ago.  What  a  multitude 
of  all  conditions  have  in  that  time  crossed  its  thresholds  ! 
It  is  probable  there  was  never  public  dedication  of  the 
building.  For  a  description  of  it  see  "  Old  Meeting- House," 
Chapter  IIL 

1720.  Lynn  End  Church  this  year  gave  a  call  to  their 
first  pastor,  who  had  just  graduated  from  Harvard,  but  who 
preached  here  considerably  before,  and  whose  wife  was  a 
native  of  the  place. 

1 72 1.  It  seems  strange  to  us  to  read  about  these  times  of 
terrible  snowstorms,  earthquakes,  and  dark  days.  This  year 
Cotton  Mather  speaks  of  '*an  horrid  storm." 

1727.  Prices  were  made  by  the  towns  on  various  com- 
modities. That  of  Lynn  at  date  "  was  on  grain  of  wheat  at 
6^-  barley  and  rye  at  5^-  Indian  corn  at  y  oats  at  is  6t/  per 
bushell  Nov  22." 

1729.  The  following  list  of  persons  were  assessed  in  the 
parish  this  year  :  — 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS. 


63 


Moses  Aborn. 
Moses  Aborn,  Jr. 
Thomas  Aborn. 
Samuel  Aborn. 
Eben  Aborn. 
Ensign  John  Bancroft 
Dea.  John  Bancroft. 
Ebenezer  Bancroft. 
Josiah  Brown. 
John  Bancroft,  Jr. 
John  DarHng. 
Benj.  Chaplin. 
Peletiah  Crocker. 
Dea.  Wm.  Eaton. 
Jeremiah  Eaton. 
Joseph  Eaton. 
Benj.  Eaton. 
Widow  Eaton. 
Lieut.  Flint. 
Nath'll  Gowing. 
Nath'll  Gowing,  Jr. 
Jonathan  Gowing. 
Benj.  Gowing. 
Ezekiel  Gowing. 
Daniel  Gowing. 
Daniel  Gowing,  Jr. 
Samuel  Gowing. 
Thomas  Gowing. 
Thomas  Gould. 
Capt.  Sam'l  Hart. 
Thomas  Hart. 
Samuel  Hart. 
John  Hart. 
Nath'll  Hutchinson. 
Francis  Hutchinson. 


Thomas  Hutchinson. 

John  Hawkes. 

Thomas  Hodgman. 

Capt.  Timothy  Horn. 

Martin  Herrick. 

Thomas  Newhall. 

Elisha  Newhall. 

Samuel  Newhall. 

Ebenezer  Newhall. 

Daniel  Newhall. 

George  Nurse. 

Andrew  Mansfield. 
James  Pearson. 

Ebenezer  Pearson. 
James  Pearson,  Jr. 
Samuel  Parker. 
Samuel  Potter. 
John  Poole. 
Timothy  Poole. 
Thomas  Poole. 
William  Perkins. 
Stephen  Pepper. 
Benj.  Pope. 
Samuel  Pope. 
Shubael  Stearns. 
Samuel  Stearns. 
Nath'll  Sharman. 
Daniel  Townsend. 
John  Williams. 
Thomas  Wellman. 
Stephen  Wellman. 
Abraham  Wellman. 
Jonathan  Wellman. 
John  Wellman. 
John  Woodward. 
Samuel  Wasson. 


64  •  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

1 73 1.  It  was  voted  to  build,  or  at  least  to  procure,  a  par- 
sonage this  year,  Oct.  25. 

1737.  This  year  a  communion  service  was  presented  to 
the  church.  The  tankards  were  inscribed,  "The  Giftof  Capt. 
Timothy  Poole  To  ye  Second  Church  of  Lynn  1737,"  and  six 
silver  cups,  "  The  Gift  of  ye  Honourable  Coll.  Burrill  Esq  to 
ye  Second  Church  in  Lynn  1737."  This  service  is  still  care- 
fully preserved,  and  a  cut  in  this  book  shows  its  form  and 
features.  The  basin  is  very  large  and  heavy,  and  probably 
dates  back  to  the  first  commencement  of  the  church.  We 
could  wish  it  had  been   inscribed   as  the  cups  and  tankards. 

1738.  Some  of  the  interesting  names  of  places  around  here 
at  this  time  were,  the  six  hundred  acres,  Stone's  Meadow, 
Bates  Brook  Slough,  Beaver  Dam,  Charlestown  Farm,  Collins's 
Meadow  and  Wigwam  Meadow,  and  the  Meeting-House. 

1 75 1.  This  year  the  meeting-house  was  repaired,  more 
probably  finished,  at  a  cost  of  forty-five  pounds,  which  in- 
cluded clapboards  and  shingles.  The  old  window  frames  were 
taken  out  and  the  new  ones  in  their  place  were  given  by  donors 
who  received  the  old  ones.  Probably  before  this  the  windows 
were  diamond  glass  in  lead  frames,  which  did  not  give  enough 
light  to  overflood  the  house. 

1752.  It  was  voted  to  give  Mr.  Samuel  Angier  a  call  to 
become  the  minister  of  the  parish,  Aug.  25,  his  salary  to  be 
sixty  pounds  lawful  money,  to  provide  keeping  for  three  cows 
and  one  horse  summer  and  winter,  and  twenty- five  cords  of 
good  wood,  cord-wood  length,  brought  to  his  ''  dore." 

A  new  order  of  reckoning,  by  counting  the  3d  of  Septem- 
ber as  the   14th,  was  introduced  into   England  at  this  date. 

1760.  Paid  for  taking  care  of  meeting-house  and  parson- 
age fences,  iii-.  4  pence.      (Parish  Records.) 

1768.  We  transcribe  two  deaths  from  the  Records  of  this 
year:  "May  12,  1768  Died  the  Widow  Elisabeth  Sparhawk 
suddenly  not  so  much  as  able  to  give  the   least  account  of 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  65 

what  aild  Her.     July  i,   1768,  Died  Stephen   Wellman  of  a 
fall  that  broke  his  Silver  Cord  aged  54." 

1770.  Work  was  regulated  at  this  time  at  two  shillings  per 
day. 

1 77 1.  "On  the  ninth  of  January,  Mrs.  Rebecca  Hadley, 
wife  of  Mr.  Thomas  Hadley,  of  Lynnfield,  left  her  home  to 
visit  an  acquaintance  and  did  not  return.  On  the  twenty-sixth 
she  was  found  drowned  in  the  stream  above  the  mill  pond  into 
which  she  probably  fell  in  attempting  to  cross  it."* 

1774.  An  interesting  story  of  this  time  runs  as  follows: 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Adams  and  family  one  morning  were  assembled 
in  the  sitting-room  for  family  prayers  while  the  breakfast 
was  smoking  on  the  table  in  the  adjoining  kitchen.  A  sim- 
ple man  entered  the  back  door,  and  seeing  the  food  sat 
down  at  the  table  and  ate  an  enormous  meal.  In  a  few 
moments  one  of  the  children  came  into  the  kitchen,  and, 
perceiving  the  turn  of  affairs,  ran  and  told  her  father.  He 
asked  the  man  why  he  was  eating  all  of  the  victuals.  The 
epicure  turned  one  eye  on  the  reverend  gentleman  and  re- 
plied, "  The  good  Book  tells  us  to  watch  as  well  as  to  pray ;  you 
did  the  praying,  I  the  watching,"  at  the  same  time  sHpping 
out  of  the  back  door  with  a  well-filled  stomach  and  leaving  the 
family  minus. 

1775.  For  items  of  this  period  see  "  Revolutionary  War." 
Congress  this  year  issued  two  hundred  millions  of  dollars, 

which    in    a    few   years    depreciated,   to    the    sorrow    of  the 
owners. 

1776.  July  4.  This  day,  never  to  be  forgotten  in  the  annals 
of  American  independence,  when  our  country  shook  off  the 
shackles  imposed  by  England.  Who  wonders  that  the  day 
should  be  celebrated  with  the  greatest  enthusiasm?  Who 
wonders  the  noble   soldiers  lived  to  be  aged?     Who    doubts 

*  History  of  Lynn. 


66  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

that  the  Ruler  of  the  universe  was  pleased  to  spare  them 
till  the  government  they  founded  was  established  on  a  per- 
manent basis?  Never  may  the  day  be  forgotten  till  our  glori- 
ous country  is  no  more  ! 

On  the  night  of  the  2d  of  October,  Charles  Riley,  a  travel- 
ler, died  at  the  tavern  before  any  one  knew  of  it. 

1777.  On  Feb.  9,  John,  son  of  Benjamin  Aborn,  was 
scalded  to  death  in  the  sixth  year  of  his  age. 

1778,  Oct.  15.  Voted  by  the  precinct  to  raise  ^100  for 
support  of  preaching. 

1780.  The  19th  of  May  is  commonly  called  "the  dark 
day,"  and  is  supposed  by  many  to  be  the  darkest  day 
that  ever  visited  the  earth.  It  was  so  dark  that  fowls  went 
to  roost ;  candles  were  lighted,  as  no  one  could  see  to  read, 
and  it  is  said  that  the  darkness  at  night  was  very  dismal. 
People  became  alarmed,  thinking  that  the  end  of  the 
world  had  come.  One  woman,  speaking  of  it  afterwards, 
said  that  she  was  washing  at  Rev.  Mr.  Mottey's,  that  she 
took  her  hands  out  of  the  suds  never  expecting  to  wash 
another  rag. 

1783.  The  following  sentence  appended  to  Mr.  Mottey's 
letter  of  acceptance  of  the  invitation  to  become  the  pastor 
of  the  Lynnfield  church  will  show  the  prices  of  that  time  : 
"  The  choice  I  have  made  of  the  several  methods  of  support 
you  have  proposed  is  ^80  stated  on  Indian  corn  3^.  4^.  rye 
at  4^-.,  beef  at  3^.,  pork  at  4c/.  and  twenty  cords  of  wood  annu- 
ally, and  your  parsonage  in  lieu  of  settlement." 

Aug.  4.  The  pound  was  built  in  1783,  by  John  Bancroft, 
for  the  sum  of  ;^i  5 . 

1789.  The  powder  house  was  built  this  year. 

1790.  Copy  of  a  certificate  for  marriage  :  — 

"  Lynnfield  July  5,  1790 
"  I  herby  certyfy  the  intention  of  marrage  between  A  and  B 
of  Lynnfield  has  been  entered  with  me  fifteen  days,  and  law- 


f 


fl^fc-t^         "^ 


1 

J 


GEO.     E.     BATCHELDER. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  67 

ful  publication  of  their    intentions    made    and   no    objection 
offered." 

1795.  Swine  were  shut  up  this  year  for  the  first  time. 
They  had  previously  run  at  large. 

To  form  an  idea  of  the  customs  about  one  hundred  years 
ago,  let  us  in  imagination  visit  a  dwelling  as  it  appeared  in 
those  days.  We  pass  through  a  piece  of  lowland  where  flows 
a  brook.  Across  the  stream  are  laid  stepping-stones  for  foot 
passengers.  The  house,  which  is  large,  stands  upon  rising 
ground,  and  exactly  faces  the  south,  so  that  the  "goodwife  " 
can  tell  by  the  rays  of  the  sun  when  it  is  twelve  o'clock. 
Stretching  in  all  directions  are  cart  paths  leading  to  every 
house  within  half  a  mile,  which,  by  the  way,  are  not  many. 
Beside  the  dwelling  lies  a  large  pile  of  scraggy  brush, 
which,  with  the  barberry  bushes  near  by,  is  in  use  for  a 
clothes  line,  while  behind  these  flows  a  clear,  cold  spring  of 
water. 

Let  us  now  enter  the  house  and  look  around.  Behind  the 
door  is  a  square  place  which  we  in  these  days  should  be  at  a 
loss  to  account  for, and  which  is  plainly  called  ''the  cat  hole," 
for  the  convenience  of  the  cat  race.  Straight  before  the  front 
or  "  outer  door,"  as  it  was  called,  is  the  cellar  door;  upon  it 
is  a  monstrous  wooden  button,  large  enough  for  Goliath. 
Passing  down  three  stone  steps  we  come  to  the  chimney  ;  three 
more  to  the  right  and  as  many  to  the  left  take  us  into  separate 
cellars,  which  are  so  low  if  we  are  not  careful  we  may  get  a 
Franklin  bump.      (See  life  of  Franklin.) 

The  principal  rooms  on  the  first  floor  are  the  east  and  west 
rooms  and  back  kitchen,  all  of  great  size,  each  of  which  con- 
tains a  fireplace  and  brick  oven  in  the  chimney,  which 
seems  to  possess  an  undisturbed  right  to  the  centre  of  the 
house.  The  fireplaces  are  nearly  large  enough  for  hermits' 
caves,  with  their  hearths  made  of  stone.  Around  the  blazing 
fires  which  were   built  in   them  the   families  used  to   sit  on 


68  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

benches  before  the  fire  logs,  which  would  burn  for  a  week  at  a 
time,  making  bushels  of  coals, —  excellent  to  roast  potatoes, 
corn,  and  apples  in.  Let  us  peep  into  the  east  room  first.  In 
one  corner  stands  a  bed  (feathers  were  plenty)  ready  for  com- 
pany when  it  has  been  warmed  with  the  warming-pan.  In 
the  opposite  corner  is  the  buffet,  and  its  glass  door  is  orna- 
mented with  festoons  of  red  pepper,  while  between  them  are 
peeping  the  glistening  contents.  Look  at  a  part  of  the  display. 
Here  are  six  tiny  teaspoons  and  three  large  ones  of  solid  sil- 
ver, six  china  plates  that  two  hundred  years  hence  will  be 
very  valuable,  as  well  as  a  china  bowl,  teacups  and  saucers,  a 
teapot  round  (almost)  as  an  apple,  with  birds  flying,  and  bril- 
liant colored  flowers  sprinkled  over  them,  and  which  are  never 
brought  into  requisiuon  except  when  company  comes  and  the 
great  round  table  is  dragged  from  its  resting  place  between 
the  windows  and  loaded  down  with  the  good  things  the 
farmer's  larder  contains.  The  oaken  floor  is  white  and  un- 
spotted with  paint,  having  been  sanded  in  waves  to  give  it 
a  crinkly  appearance.  Between  the  windows  hangs  the  coat 
of  arms  which  it  is  hoped  some  day  may  give  a  title  to  an  im- 
mense ancestral  estate  in  the  mother  country.  But  we  have 
paused  here  long  enough,  so,  bidding  the  chairs,  of  which  there 
are  as  many  as  three  kinds,  good  by,  we  step  into  the  other 
room. 

Here  the  family  live.  A  roaring  fire  is  blazing  on  the 
hearth,  where  the  teakettle  is  singing  to  the  tune  of  old 
thousand,  while  upon  one  of  the  firedogs  is  a  piece  of  meat 
roasting  upon  a  spit,  which  can  be  easily  turned  by  a  child. 
Perhaps  if  we  could  rake  open  the  coals  we  might  find  goodies 
equal  to  any  age.  In  the  corner  is  the  milk-room  for  winter 
use.  Beside  it  is  the  dresser  with  its  shelves  of  pewter  and 
wooden  plates,  platters,  and  earthen  dishes,  and  near  by  is 
an  eight-legged  table ;  next  is  a  chair  for  the  master  of  the 
house.     The  room  is  finished  with  boards  to  the  top,  with  now 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  69 

and  then  a  beam  visible.  But  let  us  look  into  the  ''back 
kitchen."  This  seems  to  be  the  repository  for  many  things.  It 
is  unfinished.  On  a  hook  hangs  a  supply  of  candles  for  winter ; 
on  a  nail  is  a  split  broom  and  another  made  of  hemlock.  At 
one  side  of  the  room  stands  a  cheese  press,  and  beside  it  a 
churn ;  under  a  wmdow  is  a  bench,  and  beneath  it  are  queer- 
looking  culinary  utensils ;  on  pegs  are  strings  and  sticks  laid 
up  for  future  use.  Perhaps  you  may  not  want  to  pass  up- 
stairs, see  beds  whereon  are  quilts  made  of  a  thousand  pieces  ; 
around  are  hung  leather  breeches,  short  gowns,  etc. ;  and  a 
little  search  would  bring  forth  shoe  buckles,  fantastic  bonnets, 
high-heeled  shoes,  and  many  other  things,  as  auctioneers  say, 
"  too  numerous  to  mention."  Then  there  is  the  garret  with 
its  little  diamond  panes  of  glass  and  lead  sash,  by  the  light  of 
which  we  discover  lots  of  herbs  laid  up  for  sickness.  At 
some  distance  from  the  home  stands  the  barn,  a  well-stocked 
country  barn,  with  flocks  of  geese,  hens,  turkeys,  etc.  Near 
by  it  is  the  corn  barn,  and  all  around  are  the  signs  of  thrift 
which  belong  to  the  farm. 

Let  us  glance  at  society  as  it  existed  in  days  gone  by. 
First  and  foremost  was  the  minister,  who  was  regarded  as  a 
superior  being,  almost  an  angel.  When  he  was  settled,  it  was 
expected  by  him  and  his  people  that  with  them  was  his  first 
and  last  field  of  labor,  that  only  death  would  remove  him  from 
them,  and  that  in  fact  in  their  midst  he  would  live,  preach, 
die,  and  be  buried.  His  ordination  day  was  a  great  day, 
and  was  celebrated  in  a  manner  which  showed  plainly  that  it 
came  but  seldom.  It  was  what  would  now  be  called  a  regular 
thanksgiving ;  and  the  minister's  funeral  was  equal  to  any- 
body's, —  all  the  pomp  and  show  possible.  When  he  visited  he 
was  received  with  the  most  deferential  respect,  seated  in  the 
big  chair,  and  treated  with  the  very  best  the  house  of  his 
parishioner  afforded.  When  met  on  the  street  every  one 
made  his  best  bow  or  courtesied  as  low  as  possible.     If  there 


70  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN 

was  trouble  in  the  parish  he  was  sure  to  know  it,  and  many 
times  could  settle  it  much  better  than  a  lawyer,  as  both  parties 
were  generally  his  friends.  In  short,  the  pastor  knew  the 
secrets  of  nearly  the  whole  town.  When  a  beef,  a  sheep,  or 
a  hog  was  slaughtered  it  was  customary  to  send  a  nice  piece 
to  him,  till  sometimes  he  had  enough  and  to  spare.  But  this  act, 
our  readers  are  well  aware,  has  become  obsolete,  and  it  is 
now  openly  asserted  that  lately  imported  breeds  contain  no 
minister  pieces. 

Next  came  the  doctor,  who  was  thought  to  be  Mr.  Con- 
siderable. Being  educated,  he  ranked  among  the  first,  and 
each  town  seemed  to  regard  their  M.  D.  as  a  little  more  skilful 
than  others.  In  case  of  sickness,  when  the  celebrated  per- 
sonage was  called  (in  toddy  times),  some  brandy  or  other 
heater  was  freely  partaken  of  ere  prescriptions  were  made. 
But  of  course  the  physician,  like  other  people,  was  not 
always  the  same. 

Then  the  deacons  are  entitled  to  a  passing  notice.  They 
were  generally  from  the  first  families,  and  ranked  among  the 
most  wealthy,  educated,  and  honorable  in  town.  It  used  to 
be  remarked  that  a  man  must  raise  a  certain  number  of 
bushels  of  beans  before  he  could  be  a  deacon.  Much 
counsel  was  asked  of  them  in  times  of  trouble.  Most  of  them 
made  a  present  to  the  church  of  which  they  were  members. 
The  old  church  in  this  town  was  the  recipient  of  several 
favors  of  this  class.  Sometimes  the  deacon  would  be  captain 
of  a  military  company,  and  at  his  death  fife  and  drum  were 
beat  to  his  grave. 

School  teachers  also  stood  high  in  the  scale.  Some  of 
them  taught  from  manhood  to  old  age,  and  had  great  credit 
for  making  use  of  the  birchen  rod ;  but  we  suppose  no  one 
believes  that  every  school  teacher  was  an  ogre  in  disguise. 

Fearing  the  reader  will  be  weary  tracing  the  phases  of  life 
from  the  top  rounds  of  the  ladder,  and  as  life  was  different  in 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  7 1 

different  places,  we  must  leave  colonels,  squires,  majors,  lieu- 
tenants, and  lastly,  though  not  leastly,  farmers  to  write 
their  own  lives  for  posterity  to  study. 

It  is  perhaps  needful  that  we  say  a  word  for  the  shoemaker. 
Once  they  were  not  as  plenty  articles  as  at  the  present,  and  no 
shoe  store  stood  in  their  midst.  A  shoemaker  used  to  go 
from  house  to  house  with  bench  and  tools  and  make  the  shoes 
for  the  understandings  of  a  whole  family.  Tailors  or  tailor- 
esses  went  out  in  the  same  way. 

The  reader  will  see  that  this  was  before  the  period  of 
"Women's  Rights." 

The  following  lines,  entitled  "  Bygone  Years,"  are  so  plain 
we  cannot  refrain  from  placing  them  in  this  connection :  — 

Back  to  the  days  of  bygone  years 

We  turn  our  thoughts  to  the  household  joys 

Where  to  their  meagre  fare  they  welcomed 
Large  additions  of  girls  and  boys. 

They  believed  in  a  woman's  right 

To  rock  the  cradle,  sweep  the  room, 
Cook  the  food,  brew  the  beer,  spin  the  yarn. 

And  fabricate  it  in  the  loom. 

To  tend  the  garden,  feed  the  pigs. 

Pick  the  geese,  and  milk  the  cows, 
Load  the  hay,  rake  after  the  cart 

And  place  the  forkfuls  on  the  mows. 

When  they  wanted  recreation 

They  improvised  a  spinning  bee, 
And  carrying  their  linen  wheels 

Filled  a  neighbor's  house  with  glee; 

Or  they  gathered  with  their  cards, 

A  neighbor's  lot  of  wool  to  break, 
And  deftly  raised  a  snowy  pile 

That  would  the  household  clothing  make. 


72  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

There  flax  and  wool  were  changed  to  yarn, 
And  from  one  corner  of  the  room 

From  shuttle,  lathe,  and  teasel,  came 
The  ringing  clatter  of  the  loom. 

Their  fare  was  wheat  and  Indian  bread, 
Pork,  hominy,  cabbage,  and  greens, 

Cucumbers,  onions,  lettuce,  leeks, 

Beets,  turnips,  peas,  squashes,  and  beans. 

Their  flavoring  condiments  were 

Peppergrass,  parsley,  marjoram  sweet, 

Caraway,  garlic,  fennel,  and  dill, 
With  pepper  and  mustard  for  meat. 

They  made  glue,  starch,  and  soap, 
Vinegar,  sugar,  beer,  and  dyes, 

Salves,  bitters,  conserves,  and  plasters. 
Inks,  tonics,  and  washes  for  eyes. 

They  set  their  milk  in  earthen  pans 
And  dipped  it  with  wooden  ladles, 

With  onion  stalks  they  blowed  their  fires. 
And  rocked  their  babies  in  box  cradles. 

With  an  axe,  a  shave,  and  a  saw, 
A  pod  auger  and  burning  iron. 

They  made  their  ox-yokes,  sleds,  and  carts, 
And  whatsoe'er  they  chose  to  try  on. 

They  ringed  their  hogs  and  let  them  run. 
Yoked  their  geese  and  clipped  one  wing; 

They  shod  their  hens  with  woollen  cloth. 
And  bled  their  cattle  every  spring. 

They  talked  of  cattle,  crops,  and  farms. 
Of  logrolling,  swamps,  and  ditches, 

Of  lucky  and  unlucky  days. 
Apparitions,  signs,  and  witches. 


OF    LYNNFlELD,    MASS.  73 

Over  the  door  on  wooden  pegs 

Rested  a  firelock  stout  and  strong, 
With  wads,  flints,  shot-pouch,  powderhorn, 

And  all  else  that  to  guns  belong. 

One  open  dresser,  rough  and  small. 

Held  a  brown  mug,  a  bullet  mould, 
Some  wooden  plates,  bowls  and  spoons, 

And  a  dozen  things  all  told. 

From  beams  above  on  wooden  hooks, 

A  row  of  smooth-peeled  poles  reposed, 
Graced  with  miscellaneous  things. 

That  want  of  drawer  room  disclosed. 

But  when  autumn's  stores  were  garnered. 

And  golden  pumpkins  did  abound. 
Then  to  their  use  the  poles  were  given, 

And  filled  with  strips  cut  round  and  round. 

Roots,  barks,  catmint,  and  other  herbs, 

Specifics  for  each  of  life's  ills, 
In  the  garret  were  safely  hung, 

To  save  expense  of  doctor's  bills. 

A  horseshoe  that  had  service  done 

Was  firmly  nailed  above  the  door. 
Malicious  witches  to  interrupt 

When  they  essayed  to  reach  the  floor. 

But  when  down  chimney  the  elfins  crept. 

And  into  the  dash  churn  got, 
The  cream  no  butter  would  make 

Until  'twas  stirred  with  poker  hot. 

Dear  to  them  were  churches  and  schools, 

The  rights  of  God  they  respected, 
And  would  build  houses  of  worship,  • 

Though  worldly  things  they  neglected. 


74  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

They  went  to  church  in  heat  and  cold, 

And  stood  through  prayers  full  half  hour  long, 

And  sat  through  sermons  double  still. 

And  sung  God's  praise  in  long-drawn  song. 

Thus  they  labored  and  thus  they  prayed. 
To  give  religious  freedom  birth. 

And  plant  the  noblest  institutions 
That  ever  blessed  our  noble  earth. 

Our  comforts  cost  them  lives  of  toil 

And  years  of  plainest  fare; 
With  grateful  heart  we  here  embalm 

The  memory  of  their  virtues  rare. 


LIKE  TO  SEE  AGAIN. 

To  see  again  in  the  old-times  way 

The  meadows  and  pastures  we  knew, 
The  hills  and  the  vales,  the  rocks  and  trees, 

And  the  woods  where  the  wild  flowers  grew. 

To  lie  once  more  in  the  thick,  soft  grass, 

With  the  sweet  winds  brushing  by, 
The  world  outside,  and  the  heart  at  peace, 

And  above  the  summer  sky. 

To  watch  the  clouds  in  their  shifting  lights, 

And  the  mists  on  the  distant  hills, 
And  dream  to  the  music  of  rustling  leaves 

And  the  voices  of  dancing  rills. 

And  wade  once  more  in  the  cooling  stream 

That  wound  by  the  roadside  below. 
Where  the  wild  rose  bloomed  and  the  eglantine. 

And  the  peppermint  used  to  grow. 

Uncle  Arthur. 


H 

w 

o 

o 
o 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  75 


LYNNFIELD   HOTEL. 


This  old  hostelry  was  built  in  1804,  by  the  old  Newbury  port 
Turnpike  Company,  who  laid  out  the  Newburyport  Turnpike, 
which  was  finished  at  an  expense  of  ^420,000,  in  1806.  The 
hotel,  ninety  years  old,  was  much  better  known  than  the  town 
itself,  and  now  nothing  remains  of  the  famous  building  but 
ruins. 

It  was  sold  in  1832  to  a  man  by  the  name  of  Thomas 
Pingree,  of  Salem,  when  it  was  run  by  Landlord  Chester  for 
two  years.  Other  proprietors  were  Noah  Newhall,  Asa  & 
Theron  Palmer,  Capt.  Smith,  Charles  Putnam,  Mr.  John 
Andrews,  Messrs.  Fisher  &  Sprague,  and  Samuel  S.  Bruce, 
beside  others. 

Dr.  Perley  some  years  ago  bought  it  and  used  it  as  a 
private  residence  till  his  death.  It  covered  an  area  of  about 
an  acre  and  contained  about  sixty  rooms. 

The  street  by  it  for  half  a  mile  was  double  width,  and  it 
was  said  was  built  by  the  company  for  the  farmers  to  trot 
horses  upon.  So  well  was  the  building  known  that  the 
village  was  called  "  Lynnfield  Hotel "  more  commonly  than  any- 
thing else. 

With  its  French  roof  and  its  numbers  of  stories,  it  was 
the  most  imposing  building  perhaps  in  town. 

It  has  caught  fire  many  times,  but  never  proved  serious  till 
the  night  of  March  7,  1894,  when  the  fire  caught  in  the  kitchen. 
In  an  hour  from  the  time  it  took  fire  everything  was  flat, 
although  everything  possible  was  done  to  save  it.  'I'wo 
other  hotels  were  built  at  the  same  time  with  this,  one  at 
Topsfield  and  one  at  Newburyport.  We  remember  to  have 
heard  it  said  years  ago  that  the  cost  of  Lynnfield  Hotel 
was  ^22,000  when  built.  No  one  was  injured  at  the  fire. 
The  Siamese  Twins  made  it  their  home  in  years  gone  by. 

At  the  time  the  hotel  was  burned  an  article  appeared  in 


7  6  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

the  Salem  paper,  from  which  we  copy  the  following  facts : 
"In  1855  the  place  was  leased  to  Messrs.  Hill  &  Town- 
send.  The  house  was  kept  at  this  time  mostly  for-  summer 
boarders,  and  was  generally  well  filled.  Among  the  famihes 
boarding  there  at  this  time  were  those  of  Mr.  Henry  Melius, 
Mr.  Theodore  Neal,  and  Henry  Poor,  of  Salem.  There  were 
some  wealthy  Lynnites  also  who  were  frequent  visitors,  and 
who  spent  their  money  lavishly,  and  who  no  doubt  enjoyed 
themselves  accordingly. 

"  In  November,  1856,  Jack  (John)  Saunders  took  the  place. 
It  was  while  the  hotel  was  under  his  management  that  the 
military  muster  was  held  in  Lynnfield.  It  is  still  remembered 
by  the  old  residents  as  a  reign  of  terror  for  the  three  days 
of  its  continuance.  The  hotel  was  converted  into  a  veritable 
'  gambling  hell,'  and  every  place  in  the  vicinity  which  could 
be  secured  was  turned  into  a  den  of  infamy,  and  the  place 
swarmed  with  the  dissolute  of  both  sexes.  There  was  noth- 
ing occurring  during  the  whole  encampment  of  1861-62 
that  could  compare  with  those  three  fearful  days." 

•  ••••••  • 

"  In  the  earUest  days  of  the  hotel  a  murder  was  said  to  have 
been  committed  there,  and  subsequently  a  ghost  story  was 
connected  with  the  same.  An  old  lady,  long  since  dead, 
who  had  lived  in  the  vicinity  all  her  life,  told  the  writer  all 
the  particulars  of  the  affair,  avowing  her  firm  belief  in  the 
ghost  part  of  it,  as  she  knew  of  persons  who  lived  at  the 
hotel  who  had  seen  the  ghost  with  their  own  eyes  and  had 
almost  been  frightened  out  of  their  senses.  This  old  lady  also 
stated  that  she  knew  the  person  who  wore  out  the  clothes  that 
were  supposed  to  have  been  taken  from  the  body  of  the 
murdered  man,  and  gave  his  name.  Although  the  writer 
was  inclined  to  feel  a  little  sceptical  about  some  parts  of 
this  narrative,  he  could  not  be  positive  that  it  was  not 
true." 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  77 

The  fire  of  the  hotel  was  seen  for  many  miles  around,  and 
was  at  once  a  source  of  joy  and  sorrow  in  the  immediate  and 
surrounding  community,  and  the  ruins  still  speak  of  what  once 
was  and  is  not. 

One  survivor  of  the  hotel  is  still  in  existence.  In  one  of 
the  halls  of  the  Essex  Institute  of  Salem  is  the  ancient  sign 
of  eighty-three  years  ago.  It  has  upon  it  a  life-size  picture 
of  Gen.  Washington  handsomely  painted.  Above  it  it  says, 
"Washington  Hotel,"  and  below,  "T.  Newcomb.     1812." 

Since  bicycles  have  been  the  rage  there  were  counted  one 
Sunday  around  the  building  more  than  seventy-five  of  the 
articles  resting  for  their  owners.  The  last  year  of  its  exist- 
ence the  sum  of  ^1,500  was  paid  for  license  by  Samuel  S. 
Bruce  to  the  town. 

A  site  for  another  hotel  nearly  opposite  the  former  has  been 
purchased  on  Broadway,  and  the  foundations  are  all  laid,  the 
work  being  done  in  1894.  It  is  to  be  called  the  "New  Lynn- 
field,"  so  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose  the  town  in  the  future 
will  not  lack  this  commodity. 

A  muster  roll  of  Capt.  Daniel  Needham's  company.  May 
3,  1796:  — 

Capt.  Daniel  Needham. 

Lieut.  Ebenzer  Hart. 

Ensign  Amos  Blanchard. 

Serg.  Daniel  Hart. 

Serg.  Walter  Smith. 

Drum  James  Putnam. 

Fifer  Benj.  Danforth. 

Fifer  Thomas  Woodward. 

RANK    AND    FILE. 

Ebenezer  Aborn.  Joseph  Brown. 

Daniel  Anabal.  Nicholas  Brown. 

Nath'l  Adams.  William  Brown. 


78 


HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 


Thomas  Bancroft. 
Amos  Butler. 
Timothy  Brown. 
John  Burnham,  Jr. 
Thomas  Dodge,  Jr. 
Benj.  Dole. 
Charles  Emerson. 
Simon  Francis. 
Theodore  Flagg. 
Simeon  Guilford. 
Nathaniel  Gowing. 
Ezra  Gowing. 
George  Hart. 
Joseph  Hart. 
Jacob  Hart. 
John  Holman. 
Joseph  Jeffry,  Jr. 
Ephraim  Larribee,  3d. 
William  Larribee. 
Levi  Mclntire. 
William  Mansfield,  Jr. 
John  Mead. 


David  Newhall. 
Wright  Newhall. 
Jacob  Newall. 
Aaron  Newhall. 
Daniel  Newhall. 
John  Orne. 
Samuel  Putnam. 
John  Perkins,  Jr. 
William  Perkins. 
Ebenezer  Perry. 
Joseph  Rand. 
Elias  Richardson. 
Jeremiah  Shelden. 
Eliab  Shelden. 
Thad.  Perry. 
Walter  Smith,  Jr. 
Asa  Snow. 
Jonathan  Tarbel,  Jr. 
Joshua  Tweed. 
Benj.  Winn. 
Daniel  Walton. 
Josiah  Walton. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  79 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Cemeteries. 

THE  SPIRIT  OF  THE  OLD  GRAVEYARD. 

She  drooped  her  soft  gray  wings  and  smiled; 

"  Your  fathers  bade  me  hold  their  dead 
*  Until  the  Day  should  break,  and  till 

The  shadows  flee  away !  '  "  she  said. 
"  I  hold  my  watch  and  ward  till  then. 

It  may  well  be  this  dust  shall  lie 
Forever  —  garments  dropped  of  clay,  — 

The  husks  of  wheat  that  needs  must  die. 
What  if  it  be  shot  through  with  fire. 

The  dross  consumed  with  the  whole  earth. 
And  all  made  beautiful  and  new  — 

New  and  yet  old  —  the  heavenly  birth  ! 
Fear  not  that  I  shall  sleep  that  Day ! 

Yea  !  I  shall  know  its  light !  I  know 

His  winds  —  God's  breath  —  through  all  the  world, 

To  winnow  out  the  chaff,  shall  blow.'' 

Mary  A.  Parsons. 

One  town  in  this  State  contains  no  cemetery,  but  we  be- 
lieve this  is  a  solitary  instance.  The  living  die  everywhere, 
so  that  our  history  would  be  very  incomplete  did  we  say 
nothing  of  the  resting  places  of  this  town.  The  old  grave- 
yard is  a  somewhat  secluded  place  at  the  south  side  of  the 
Common.  It  was  first  used  early  in  the  last  century.  Pre- 
vious to  this  time  there  was  no  public  burial  place  in  town, 
and  here  neath  the  pines,  with  walls  covered  with  clematis, 
lie  half  a  dozen  generations  of  the  "  fathers  of  the  hamlet." 


8o  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

One  and  two  hundred  years  ago  these  spots  of  ground  were 
quite  different  from  now.  No  walls  enclosed  them,  and  when 
an  effort  was  made  to  do  so  the  boundaries  were  hard  to  define. 
Over  the  graves  horses,  cows,  and  fowls  were  allowed  to 
graze  and  roam  at  pleasure,  and  even  the  children  could  play 
there,  as  the  first  cemetery  in  town  was  behind  the  school- 
^  house.  No  beautiful  trees,  plats  of  ground,  no  flowers,  and 
few  monuments  marked  "  their  lowly  bed." 

The  dead  were  laid  with  a  few  simple  rites  in  a  simple 
coffin  which  had  been  borne  tenderly,  perhaps  for  miles,  on  the 
shoulders  of  friends  and  neighbors.  We  remember  with  hor- 
ror the  look  of  the  dead  laid  in  a  winding  sheet  or  white  robe, 
in  a  rude  coffin  hastily  made,  and  contrast  it  with  those  of 
nowadays,  but  still  do  not  doubt  that  in  other  days  the  heart 
was  as  sad  as  now,  that  love  forgot  not  its  dead  any  more  than 
at  the  present,  and  the  heart  of  the  living  yearned  for  some 
one  who  had  lain  down  for  the  last  time  with  a  "silent  oar." 
We  could  wish  that  more  graves  were  marked,  but  when 
we  see  so  many  in  just  the  same  condition,  and  reflect 
that  at  present  we  do  not  have  to  send  to  England  for  these 
articles,  we  cannot  but  exclaim,  "  Well  done  !  " 

These  many  years  upon  this  spot 

Our  fathers  and  our  mothers  slept. 
Dear  to  us  is  their  burial  lot, 

In  the  heart  of  the  town  still  kept. 
In  the  quiet  let  them  rest, 
"The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed." 

Every  ancient  settlement  has  its  old  burial  ground.  The 
most  revered  part  of  ancient  Plymouth,  except  the  ro^k,  is 
the  /«'//  where  the  Pilgrims  sleep.  During  the  seventeenth 
century  the  inhabitants  here  were  carried  to  rest  in  Lynn  or 
in  Wakefield  before  they  had  a  ground  of  their  own.  The 
oldest  stone  in  Wakefield  was  that  of  one  of  Lynnfield's  first 
settlers.     He  was  buried  in  what  is  now  the  park,  and  when 


.^^ 


^^f. 


•f 


o 


oa 
to 

o 


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I.  V. 


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t 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  8 1 

the  ground  was  ploughed  and  taken  for  other  uses,  his  stone, 
with  many  others,  was  removed  to  what  is  now  the  old  grave- 
yard in  Wakefield,  where  it  may  still  be  seen.  It  is,  as  we  have 
said,  the  oldest,  and  is  in  excellent  state  of  preservation,  and 
we  wish  it  could  be  brought  back  here,  where  the  one  whose 
memory  it  cherishes  died  and  where  his  descendants  still  live. 
The  oldest  place  of  sepulchres  is  at  the  south  side  of  the 
Common.  It  was  originally  larger  than  at  present,  and  an 
effort  was  made  many  years  ago  to  get  the  land  outside  of 
the  walls  back  to  the  former  ground,  but  without  effect.  For 
many  years  it  was  open,  and  horses  and  sheep  grazed  upon 
its  hillocks,  and  school  children  played  on  the  new-made 
graves.  It  was  probably  laid  out  for  a  garden  of  the  dead  as 
early  as  the  old  meeting-house  was  built,  and  perhaps  four 
or  five  years  before.  The  first  inscription  to  be  found  within 
its  limits,  although  others  may  have  settled  away,  is  :  — 

Here  Lyes  Burried 

Ye  Body  of  Deacon 

John  Pearson 

Who  died  June 

2 1  St  Anno  Domni  1728 

Aged  78  years. 

Near  the  centre  of  the  ground  where  it  is  rising  may  be 
seen  a  thick,  square,  ancient-looking  stone,  which  is  that  of 
the  first  pastor  of  Lynnfield  church.  At  the  right  hand  is 
that  of  his  wife,  Elizabeth,  which  has  been  rent  in  twain, 
while  at  the  left  is  a  small  one  to  the  memory  of  their  son 
Nathaniel.     The  first  mentioned  reads  as  follows  :  — 

Here  Lies  Burried  ye 

Body  of  ye  Revnd  Mr. 

Nathaniel  Sparhawk 

Who  Departed  this 

Life  May  7th  Anno  Dom. 

1732  in  38  year 

of  his  age. 


82  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

A  little  nearer  the  gate  is  the  grave  of  the  next  pastor. 
The  stone  is  broken  crosswise,  lying  on  the  ground,  and  it 
was  only  after  persistent  effort  years  ago  that  the  epitaph 
was  made  readable. 

Here  lies  Burried 

The  Body  of 

the  Rev.  Benjamin  Adams 

Pastor  of  the  Second 
Church  of  Christ  in  Lynn 
Who  departed  this  Life 
May  the  4th  1777  in  the 

58  year  of  his  Age 

And  22d  of  his  Ministry 

The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed. 

This  stone  is  that  of  a  Revolutionary  soldier :  — 

John  Upton 
died  April  30,  1838 
aged  92  yrs. 

Sally 

wife  of  John  Upton 

deposited  on  the  right 

died  March  26,  1 799 

aged  51  yrs. 

Hannah 

wife  of  John  Upton 

deposited  on  the  left 

died  Sept.  17,  1837 

aged  89  yrs. 

There  are  four  marble  stones,  all  bearing  names  of  the  Ban- 
croft family,  and  all  erected  in  the  early  part  of  this  century. 

Not  far  from  the  grave  of  Rev.  Mr.  Adams  is  that  of  Lynn- 
field's  Revolutionary  martyr.  The  epitaph  is  given  in  the  items 
relating  to  that  period.     Probably  no  grave  has  been  so  well 


OF    LYNNKIELD,    MASS.  8^ 

known  as  his  in  this  town,  and  none  will  ever  be  better  re- 
membered. Near  the  western  side  is  a  grave  whose  stone  tells 
us  that  an  officer  sleeps  there  :  — 

Here  lyes  Intered 
the  body  of  Capt 
Timothy  Pool  Esqr 
Deacon  of  ye  2nd  Church  in  Lynn 

Who  Departed  this  Life 
Feb.  ye  28  Domni  1753  ^Et.  50  yrs. 

Blessed  are  ye  dead  which  die  in 
the  Lord  from  henceforth,  yea  saith 
the  Spirit  they  rest  from  their  labors 
and  their, works  do  folow  them  Rev.  14,  13. 

Some  of  the  epitaphs  cannot  be  condemned  on  account  of 
their  great  length,  for  instance  :  — 

Emily  Orne  Hall  Aged  37  yrs. 

Of  the  physicians  who    sleep    in  the    ground    three    have 
memorials  whose  stories  are  here  transcribed  :  — 

Here  lyes  Burried 
The  Body  of 
John  Perkins  Physician 
who  departed 
this  life 
Jan.  23,  1 78 1  in  ye 
84  year  of  his  Age. 

The  next  reads  :  — 

Here  lyes  the  Body 

of  Doctor  John  Aborn 

who  Departed 

this  life  November 

the  8th  1 768 

in  the  41st  year 

of  his  age. 

The  third  has  these  words  arched  over  it,  "God  is  Just." 

Erected  in  memory  of 

Dr.  Benjamin  Adams 

Obt.  Jan.  16,  181 1,  .E.  53. 


84 


HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 


In  the  same  lot  with  Dr.  Perkins  one  of  the  stones  reads  as 

follows :  — 

In  memory  of 

Benjamin  Perkins  A.  B. 

Who  died  on  the  1 7th  Nov. 

1809 

Aged  20 

Could  genius  science  and  virtue 

ensure  length  of  days  this  stone 

had  not  been  thus  early  marked 

As  one  enters  the  gate,  in  the  first  range  of  graves  at  the  right 

he  will  notice  seven  stones  marked  with  the  name  of  "  Mottey," 

three  of  which  we  shall  here  transcribe,  all  of  which  speak  for 

themselves  :  — 

Sacred 

to  the  memory  of  the 

Rev.  Joseph  Mottey 

Pastor  of  the  church  of 

Christ  in  Lynnfield 

vi'ho  died  July  9,  1821 

in  the  66  year  of  his  age 

&  the  38th  of  his  ministry 

He  vi^as  distinguished  by 

a  profound  mind  and  was  a 

learned  faithful  &  Exemplary 

minister. 


Secondly  :  — 


This  humble  stone 
is  here  erected 
to  perpetuate  the  name 
of 
an  estimable  woman 
who  in  giving  life 
sacrificed  her  own 
Mrs  Elizabeth  Mottey 
consort  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Mottey 
died  on  the  XXVII  of  August. 
Anno.  MDCCLXXXIX 
M.  XXXII. 


DAVID  HEWES. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  85 

Thirdly  :  — 

Sacred 

to  the  memory  of 

Mr.  Charles  Mottey 

son  of  Rev.  Joseph  Mottey 

who  died  at  Salem 

July  19th  1804,  on  the 

morning  after  his  arrival 

from  a  voyage  to 

India  after  an  absence 

of  12  months  employed  as 

clerk  to  the  Capt  of  the  ship 

Henry. 

At  the  opposite  front  corner,  in  a  row,  are  nine  tombstones 
bearing  the  name  of  Hawks.  One  of  these,  bearing  the  fol- 
lowing inscription,  is  somewhat  remarkable  :  — 

In 

Memory   of 

Mr  John  Hawks 

vi^ho  died 

May  3:  181 1 

^t.57 

Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord. 

Perhaps  the  reader  will  think  there  is  nothing  remarkable, 
but  if  he  will  look  at  the  stone  he  will  see  it  is  a  black  slate 
nearly  six  feet  in  height,  and  there  is  not  another  like  it  in  town. 

In  the  same  lot  we  read  Lois,  wife  of  John  Hawkes,  died 
June  10,  1865,  aet.  79  years.  She  was  the  last  interred  in  the 
ground.  Probably  the  burials  in  this  ground  for  the  last  forty 
years  have  not  averaged  one  a  year.  There  has  been  a  number 
of  times  talk  of  removing  this  city  of  supulchres,  but  the  fathers 
and  mothers  of  the  hamlet  are  still  resting  in  this  their  chosen 
burial  spot,  "mid  the  peaceful  shades,"  where  the  pine  and 
clematis  thrive,  where  we  may  read  their  names,  such  as 
Brown,  Bancroft,  Orne,  Emerson,  Danforth,  Upton,  etc.  The 
front  of  this  cemetery  is  enclosed  with  a  massive  granite  wall 


86  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

of  Lynnfield  rock,  the  same  as  all   the  cemeteries  in  town. 

There  are  many  buried  here  whose  graves  are  not    marked. 

It  is  estimated  that  there  have  been  one  thousand    persons 

buried  here. 

They  are  sleeping,  sleeping 

Mid  the  quiet  glades 
On  the  western  hillside, 

Where  the  sunset  fades; 
But  'tis  the  casket  only 
Fills  the  bed  so  lonely  — 
God  knoweth  all. 

SOUTH    BURYING    GROUND. 

The  next  is  the  South  burying  ground.  This  is  about  a 
century  old.  In  the  front  part,  on  the  eastern  side,  enclosed 
in  an  iron  fence,  is  the  burial  lot  of  the  Newhalls,  one  of 
Lynnfield' s  best-known  and  oldest  families.  On  the  family 
monument  are  these  inscriptions.     On  the  west  side  :  — 

Jona.  Newhall,  Sr. 
died    1775 
Eliza  Newhall 
died  Jan   15,  1794. 
Jona  Newhall  Jr 
died  Nov.   15,  1798. 
Ait.  42  yrs. 
Susanna  Newhall 
died  July  20:  1789 
James  Newhall 
died  at  sea. 
Feb.  4:  1800. 
^t.  28  yrs. 
John  Newhall 
died   July  29 :    1827 
^t.  36   yrs 
Sarah  Newhall 
died  ^t.  2  yrs 
John   Newhall 
died  Ait.  18  mos. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  87 

On  the  south  side  :  — 

William  Teele 

died  at  sea. 

"William  F.  Brown 

died  Jan.  18  1833 

William   H  Teele 

died  at  Liverpool  Eng 

Jan.    II,  1833. 

JE.  24  yrs. 

He  fell  from  the  fore  yard 
Of  the  vShip  Tallahasse. 

Jesus  our  Captain  leads  us  on 

He  hails  us  from  the  skies 
And  reaches  out  a  starry  crown 

And  bids  us  take  the  prize 

John  Sullivan 
of  Boston  Branch  Pilot 
died  at  N.  G. 

Aug.  5    1847 
JE.  42  yrs. 
George  A.  Suhvan 
of  Boston  Branch  Pilot 
died  Oct.  12,  1848 

^•35- 

Not  far  away  are  two  tombstones  whose  inscriptions  read  :  — 

James  Newhall 

Died 
Oct.   25:   1874 
^t.  87  yrs  8  mos 
We  paused  as  if  from  that  bright  shore 
Beckoned  our  dear  ones  gone  before. 

Sally  Richards 

wife  of 
James  Newhall 

Died 

Nov.  23,  1867 

JE.  72  yrs.  5  mos 


88  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

Grandchildren  of  Jonathan  Newhall,  on  the  east  side  :  — 

John    G.  Sullivan 
died  Feb.   lo:   1807 

JE.  4  yrs  6  mos. 

Eliza  A.  Sullivan 
died  June  24:   181 2. 

AL.  7  yrs.  4  mos. 
Charles  S.  Sullivan 
died  Aug.  15,  181 5. 

JE.  5  yrs  I  mo. 

Granville  F.  Sullivan 

died  Jan.  17,  1 818. 

JE.  I  yr.  six  mos. 

Grandchildren  of  Jonathan  Newhall,  Jr. :  — 

John  Sullivan  Jr. 
died  Aug  11,  1822. 
JE.  42  yrs. 
Branch  Pilot  of  Boston 

The  time  has  been  that  time  is  past 
When  youth  I  bloomed  like  thee 

The  time  will  come,  tis  coming  fast 
When  thou  shall  be  like  me. 

Other  epitaphs  in  this  enclosure  read  : — 

In  memory  of 

William  Newhall 

who  died 

June  5  :  1823 

Aged  72. 

A  Revolutionary  soldier  who  fought  for  the  freedom  of  his  country. 

Asa  Newhall 

died 

April  30:  1 8 14. 

Aged  81  yrs  9  mos. 

Sarah 

his  wife 

died  Nov.  30 :  1 840 

Aged  97  yrs.   9  mos. 


:,C*- 


^ 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  89 

Wendall  G.  Nichols 

Born  in  Boston 

July  12,  1838. 

Killed  in  battle  near 

Petersburg  Va. 

Aug.  18:  1864. 

He  was  a  member  of  Co.  A 

39.  Reg.  Mass.  Volls. 

Calmly  he  sleeps :  no  clang  of  arms 
Shall  break  his  ceaseless  slumbers  more 
Safe  he  has  passed  from  war's  alarms 
To  peace  upon  the  other  shore. 

Erected  to  the  memory  of 

Edward  Otis  Skerry 

By 

Suntaug  Lodge,  I.  O.  G.  T. 

•     He  died 

Aug.  8:  1870. 

Aged  21  years 

&  6  mos. 
We  miss  thee. 


WEST    BURYING    GROUND. 

A  committee  was  chosen  by  the  town  in  1813  to  select 
a  piece  of  land  in  the  central  portion  of  the  town  for  a  bury- 
ing ground.  This  was  the  third  city  of  sepulchres  in  town. 
It  has,  Hke  the  other  cemeteries,  on  front  a  nice  faced  wall  of 
Lynnfield  granite,  and  above  it  used  to  be  a  row  of  beautiful 
trees,  a  gift  of  Hubbard  Emerson,  Esq.  It  is  nicely  hemmed 
in  all  around,  much  of  which  is  due  to  Judge  Nash,  who  used 
to  say  it  was  a  part  of  his  religion  to  venerate  the  dead.  It 
is  somewhat  singular  that  a  plot  of  land  having  been  used 
more  than  fourscore  years  should  not  have  a  clergyman  buried 
here,  yet  such  is  the  case.  It  is  said  that  Capt.  Wm.  Skinner's 
daughter  was  the  first  to  be  buried  in  this  ground  ;  and  another 


90  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

daughter  of  his  was  the  first  to  be  laid  in  Forest  Hill  Cemetery 
a  generation  after. 

The  first  row  of  graves  on  the  left-hand  side  is  that  of  Bow- 
man Viles,  Esq.    The  first  reads  :  — 

Bowman  Viles  Esq. 
Died 
March  27,  1838 
^t.  57  years. 
Thou  art  not  dead,  but  sleeping 

In  Christ  thy  spirit  rests. 
Thy  useful  life  still  speaking 
To  those  who  knew  thee  best. 

Still  nearer  the  gate  is  the  Cox  lot.     An  elegant  monument 
claims  a  share  of  attention,  which  says  :  — 

Sacred 

to  the  memory  of 

John  Orne  Cox 

who  died 

Aug  16,  1839 

ALt.  21  yrs. 

This  stone  is  erected  by  the 

Boston  Light  Infantry 

as  a  token  of  respect  for  a 

brother  member. 

In  the  same  range  is  one  which  will  repay  perusal :  — 

In  memory  of 

William  E.  Cox 

who  died  in  Mexico 

April  2 1st,   1849 

in  his  29th  year 

and  whose  remains 

were  deposited  here 

July  2,  1850. 

Say  shall  the  bosom  of  affection  mourn, 
Or  shall  the  tear  of  love  bedew  his  urn? 
Yes,  Jesus  wept. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  9 1 

On    the   opposite    side    of    the    avenue    are   monumental 

stones  :  — 

Capt  Henry  Bancroft, 

Died  — 

Aug.  15,  1872 

Aged  86. 

*•  Death  is  the  crown  of  Ufe." 

Eliza  Mottey 

wife  of 

Capt.  Henry  Bancroft 

Dau.  of  Rev.  Joseph  Mottey 

Died  Feb.  10:  1869 

JEt.  79 

The  night  dew  that  falls 
Though  in  silence  it  weeps 
Shall  brighten  with  verdure 
The  grave  where  she  sleeps 
And  the  tear  that  we  shed 
Though  in  silence  it  rolls 
Shall  long  keep  her  memory 
Green  in  our  souls. 

George  Mottey  Bancroft 

drowned  near 

San  Francisco  Gala 

Feb.  3,  1851, 

Ait.  26  yrs 

Henry  Alexander  Bancroft 
Died  July  25,  1862 
^t.  35  yrs 

In  the   range  back  of  these   is   a  nice  marble,  which    we 

copy  :  — 

J  Nathanel  Bancroft  1 

t    Danforth  M.  D.     i 
Born  in  Lynnfield 

Sept.  24,  1 82 1. 
Died  in  Wrentham 
Jan.  30:  1864, 
Aged  42. 


92  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

In  the  yard  a  short  distance  back  is  the  Richardson  lot. 
We  transcribe  three  of  the  epitaphs,  the  first  because  it  is 
the  oldest  in  the  yard,  but  not  the  first  burial : — 

Sacred  to  the  memory 
of  Sophia  Richardson 
Dau.  of  Mr  Herbert  i 

and  Mrs  Mary  Richardson 
who  died  March 

I3»  1813 
aged  10  yrs. 

The  father's  stone  is  inscribed  :  — 

In 
Memory  of  , 

Mr 
Herbert  Richardson 
who  died 
Nov.  29  1823. 
JEt.  66 

Here  where  this  stone  its  record  keeps 
A  Friend  a  Husband,  Father  sleeps 
A  heart  within  whose  sacred  cell  — 
The  peaceful  virtues  loved  to  dwell, 
Affections  warm  a  heart  sincere 
And  truth  and  justice  centered  there. 

The  third  is  remarkable,  a  double  grave  and  stone,  which 
reads  :  — 

In  memory  of 
Mr  Herbert  Richardson  Jr. 
of  Lynnfield  son  of  Mr  Herbert  & 
Mrs  Mary  Richardson  Aged  24, 
and  Miss  Charlotte  Palmer 
Daug'ht  of  Mr  David  &  Mrs  Sarah 
Palmer  of  Londonderry  Aged  20  — 
who  were  both  drowned  in  Shawshen 
River  in  Andover  March  3  181 8. 


S-"-.Vi-i.^>i6i.-w;.  .. 


REV.     JACOB     HOOD. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  93 

Behold  these  lovely  blooming  youth 
Whose  days  were  pleasantness  &  truth 
Cut  down  while  in  their  youthful  bloom 
And  hast'ned  to  a  watery  tomb. 

Back  of  this  is  a  huge  bowlder,  soUd  rock,  the  Parsons 
monument,  whose  poHshed  surface  says,  Eben'r  Parsons 
1794-1853,  Mary  Hart  his  wife  1 792-1864. 

Near  the  centre  of  the  cemetery,  enclosed  in  an  iron  fence, 
is  the  burial  place  of  Elijah  Hewes,  Jr.,  and  family.  At  the 
time  it  was  fitted  up  it  was  the  most  beautiful  around.  A 
large  urn  was  set  up  on  a  mound  in  the  middle  of  the  enclosure, 
but  both  have  since  been  taken  away,  so  that  the  lot  is  not 
as  ornamental  as  formerly,  although  it  shows  evidences  that  it 
is  not  forgotten. 

A  large  Roman  marble  monument  stands  on  the  Jeremiah 
Coney  lot,  which  is  nearly  filled  with  mounds. 

The  Wiley  lot,  near  by,  has  a  beautiful  granite  memorial 
to  father,  mother,  son,  and  daughter. 

A  short  distance  to  the  rear  are  the  stones  and  monument 
of  the  James  Hewes  family  lot.  Three  of  them  we  will  notice 
here.     First,  the  father's,  reads  :  — 

"  Death  comes  to  lead  me  from  Mortality 
to  lands  which  know  not  one  unhappy 
hour." 

Mr  James  Hewes 

died  in  Cincinnati  Ohio 

Feb.  17,  1852 

Aged  67  years 

His  remains  were 

deposited  here 
March  14,  1852. 

Rest  Father  the  Almighty  hand 
That  bore  thee  to  that  better  land 
Will  guide  us  all  our  journey  through 
Till  we  shall  meet  both  him  &  you. 


94  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

The  second  is  a  monument  with  an  urn  upon  the  top :  — 

Mrs  Lydia  Kidder 
died  in  Saugus 

Jan.  3,  1855 
Aged  30  years 
and  8  months. 

Weep  —  she  was  worthy  of  the  purest  grief 
Weep  —  in  such  sorrow  you  shall  find  relief 
While  o'er  her  doom  the  bitter  tear  ye  shed 
Memory  shall  trace  the  virtues  of  the  dead. 
These  cannot  die,  for  you  for  her  they  bloom 
And  scatter  fragrance  round  her  early  tomb. 

Mrs.  Kidder  was  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Hewes.  Another  was 
Mrs.  Spinney.  Her  stone  is  marked  by  a  cross  of  flowers. 
The  inscription  runs  thus  :  — 

Eliza  H. 

Wife  of 

George  Spinney 

Died  Jan  7,  1864. 

Aged  48  years 

and  10  mos 

Her  works  praise  her. 

On  the  opposite  side  of  the  cemetery  are  the  monuments 
of  the  Joel  Hewes  family,  with  the  inscription  of  Henry 
E.  Hewes,  a  soldier  who  died  at  Newbern,  N.  C. ;  of 
William  Mansfield,  containing  the  family  deaths,  —  one  to 
Angeline,  wife  of  Ezra  Mansfield,  and  one  to  the  family  of 
the  late  Col.  Joel  Hewes.  The  latter  is  on  a  raised  lot, 
its  top  surmounted  with  a  cross.  In  one  corner  of  the  lot 
are  two  crosses  to  mark  the  resting  of  two  small  children. 
The  motto  is  :  — 

We  have  loved  them  on  earth 
May  we  meet  them  in  Heaven. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  95 

Just  back  of  the  last  mentioned  is  the  burial  lot  of  the  late 
Alfred  Skinner,  which  contains  the  remains  of  the  parents  and 
four  children,  all  but  one  of  the  whole  family.  The  father's 
stone  says  :  — 

Alfred  Skinner 
died  April  26:  1855 
Aged  30  years 

So  soon  my  wife  and  children  dear 
I  come  to  join  you  sleeping  here 
One  of  our  httle  flock  is  left  behind 
Trusting  in  God  pure  friends  to  find 

The  mother's  says  :  — 

Lydia  Ann 
wife  of  Alfred  Skinner 
died  April  5  :  1855 
Aged  26  years 

Oh  weep  not  for  the  dead. 
Rather  oh  rather  give  the  tear 
To  those  who  darkly  linger  here 
When  all  beside  are  fled 


Not  far  from  the  Mansfield  monuments  is  one  of  Scotch 
granite  to  the  memory  of  Benjamin  Cox. 

The  following  soldiers  have  tombstones,  which  we  tran- 
scribe : — 

In  memory  of 

Capt.  Ebenezer  Hart 

who  fought  for  the  liberty 

and  independence  of  his 

country  during  the  war 

of  the  Revolution  and  died 

March  26,  1840 

JEt.  77. 


/ 


96  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

In  memory  of 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Parsons 

who  died 

April  17,  1843 

Aged  81 

A  Soldier  of  the  Revolution 

Daniel  Needham  Esq. 
Died  Feb.  16,  1844 
Aged  83. 
A  soldier  of  the  Revolution 

Joseph  L 

Son  of  Joseph  &  Mary 

Hart. 

A  member  of  4th  Mass 

Battery 

Died  in  Hospital  at 

Fort  Pike  La.  Dec  i  1862 

Aged  39  years. 

George  W. 

Only  son  of  Wm  W. 

&  Rebecca  B. 

A  volunteer  soldier 

in  the  Lafayette 

Art'y  Lymdeboro   N.  H. 

Died  Oct.    19,    1864 

^t.  20  yrs  I  mo. 

"  Absent  but  not  forgotten." 


THE   TAPLEY   TOMB. 

One  of  the  finest  illustrations  of  this  book  is  an  excellent  rep- 
resentation of  the  above,  which  is  situated  at  the  north  part  of 
the  town,  at  the  "  Three  Corners."  It  was  built  by  Joseph  Tap- 
ley,  whose  house  stood  near  by.  Mr.  Tapley  was  a  native  of  Dan- 
vers,  and  died  soon  after  the  tomb  was  built,  in  1820.  Since 
then  the  tomb  has  been  going  to    decay  and  presented   a 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  97 

neglected  appearance,  although  the  dozen  bodies  it  contained 
were  unmolested.  Mr.  David  Hewes,  of  California,  a  grandson 
of  Mr.  Tapley,  had  contemplated  making  improvements  at  this 
and  the  homes  of  his  ancestors,  having  put  in  perfect  repair  the 
former  home  of  Mr.  Tapley,  and  the  place  where  he  himself 
was  born,  in  1822  ;  had  also  fitted  everything  connected  with 
this  resting  place,  including  a  new  inscription,  enlarging  the 
ground,  setting  granite  posts,  relaying  the  walls  around  the  en- 
closure, rebuilding  the  front  of  the  tomb. 

When  the  reinterment  was  to  take  place,  in  November,  1892, 
Mr.  Hewes  invited  a  large  company  to  be  present  at  the  memo- 
rial exercises,  which  were  held  in  the  schoolhouse  near  by. 
Among  the  guests  present  were  Hon.  T.  N.  Hart  of  Boston, 
Ex-Mayor  George  D.  Hart  of  Lynn,  several  of  the  Tapley 
family,  as  also  the  Hewes  family,  and  many  citizens  of  Lynnfield 
and  neighboring  towns.  The  exercises  consisted  of  prayer  by 
Rev.  H.  L.  Brickett,  of  Lynnfield  Centre ;  a  cordial  welcome 
extended  by  Mr.  Hewes,  who  spoke  of  the  object  of  the  gather- 
ing, and  introduced  Hon.  Thomas  N.  Hart,  postmaster  of  Boston, 
as  ''a  future  governor  of  Massachusetts,"  who  made  remarks. 

After  the  exercises  the  visitors  adjourned  to  the  tomb, 
where  the  cof^n  was  placed  within  and  sprigs  of  evergreen 
thrown  in  as  tokens  of  respect.  A  collation  was  served  at  the 
house  near  by  and  the  company  separated. 

The  following  verses  are  a  part  of  the  poem  written  by  Mrs. 
J.  W.  Perkins  of  this  town  :  — 

"  Unforgotten  !      As  thoughtful  hearts 
Murmur  the  love-fraught  word 
The  tender  echoes  are  taken  up 
By  the  winds  that  overheard. 

"  Unforgotten !     O  cherished  dead  ! 
Sweet  is  thy  resting  place, 
For  tender  thoughts  have  been  busy  here 
With  love's  own  perfect  grace. 


98  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

"  Unforgotten  !     The  busy  years 
Cannot  efface  the  past, 
And  love,  because  it  is  born  of  God, 
To  eternity  shall  last. 


"  Unforgotten  !     The  breezes  sweet 
Murmur  the  love-fraught  word; 
Beyond  our  hearing  the  echoes  go, 
The  loving  one  has  heard. 

"  Unforgotten  !     O  cherished  dead  ! 
God's  love  has  marked  the  spot; 
He  knoweth,  though  all  men  forget, 
And  he  forgetteth  not. 

"  Unforgotten  !    The  Easter  glow 

Shall  flood  earth's  death-dark  sky, 
For  he  remembereth  to  fulfil 
Unto  eternity." 


FOREST  HILL  CEMETERY 

Is  situated  on  the  avenue  of  the  same  name,  but  a  short  dis- 
tance from  the  Centre  depot,  and  was  laid  out  in  1856  by  Henry 
Lilley  Eaton.  The  plan  is  a  double  circle  of  lots  in  the  centre, 
while  the  avenues  run  across  and  lengthwise.  The  lot  contains 
six  acres,  and  was  purchased  of  James  Hewes.  At  first  but  the 
front  part  was  used,  but  of  late  years  the  rear  part  is  being  occu- 
pied. The  front  is  enclosed  by  a  solid  granite  wall,  the  stone 
being  quarried  in  this  town.  At  the  gate  is  a  semicircle.  The 
dedication  took  place  Oct.  14,  1856,  Rev.  Messrs.  Hodgman 
and  Chute  of  this  town  officiating.  The  address  was  by  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Hodgman,  from  which  we  quote  the  following :  *'  The 
practice  of  selecting  some  place  for  the  burial  of  the  dead  and 
adorning  it  is  as    old  as    the    race    of   men.     Civilized  and 


§'^i 


w 

o 
o 

w 

CO 

t> 
►^ 
W 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  99 

Christian  nations  bury  with  appropriate  ceremonies.  Pagans 
burn  or  destroy.  Indians  bury.  Some  of  their  old  burying 
grounds  are  still  pointed  out.  Perhaps  some  of  their  dead  lie 
enshrined  here.  There  is  an  obvious  propriety  in  setting  apart 
places  for  burial.  The  earliest  sepulchre  of  which  we  have  any 
account  is  that  which  Abraham  bought  of  Ephron.  It  was  the 
field  and  cave  of  Machpelah,  which  is  before  Mamre.  (Gen. 
xxiii.  17.) 

"  The  ancestral  burial  place  is  the  one  fixed  element  in  the 
unstable  life  of  a  nomadic  race,  and  this  Hebron  furnished  to 
the  patriarchs.  The  one  spot  which  Abraham  called  his  own 
was  the  sepulchre  which  he  bought  with  four  hundred  shekels 
of  silver  from  Ephron  the  Hittite. 

" '  There  they  buried  Abraham  and  Sarah  his  wife ;  there 
they  buried  Isaac  and  Rebekah  his  wife ;  and  there  I  buried 
Leah.'     (Gen.  xlix.  31.) 

"  Of  all  the  great  patriarchal  family  Rachel  alone  is  absent 
from  this  sacred  enclosure;  she  was  buried  at  Bethlehem. 
(Gen.  XXXV.  19.) 

"The  Jews  called  their  sepulchres  everlasting  habitations. 
They  were  outside  of  the  city.  Only  kings  or  distinguished 
persons  were  buried  within  the  city  walls.  Sepulchres  were 
often  in  groves  or  gardens  and  were  private  property.  Such 
was  Abraham's  and  Manoah's,  in  which  Samson  was  buried. 

"  Asahel  was  buried  in  his  father's  sepulchre  near  Bethlehem. 
(2  Sam.  ii.  32.  ) 

"  The  primitive  Christians  were  generally  buried  in  sub- 
terranean sepulchres ;  in  fact  they  often  lived  in  them,  to  be 
safe  from  their  persecutors.  These  were  secret,  very  spacious, 
with  many  apartments. 

"  We  are  always  interested  in  a  place  of  burial,  and  for  good 
reasons.  We  cannot  shut  our  eyes  to  the  fact  that  we  must 
one  day  die  and  need  a  grave.  We  wish  for  a  quiet  resting 
place  for  the  body. 


lOO  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

"  The  sea  is  the  grave  of  many,  but  it  shall  one  day  give  up 
its  dead.  The  domestic  affections  prompt  us  to  wish  that  our 
friends  may  be  buried  near  us.  The  Bible  justifies  us  in 
attaching  to  the  grave  a  real  significance.  Hither  the  old  man 
will  come  and  the  tender  mother. 

"  We  accept  the  sentiment  of  Washington  Irving,  who  wrote, 
'■  The  grave  is  the  ordeal  of  affection ;  there  we  dismiss  all 
prejudice  and  resentment.' 

"  Let  us  recall  the  Thanatopsis  of  William  C.  Bryant.  This 
suggests  quiet  but  does  not  inspire  hope.  It  is  the  gospel 
which  brings  light  into  the  g7^ave.  The  Saviour  passed  through 
it  before  us,  and  took  away  its   darkness  and  its  gloom. 

"This  cemetery  is  henceforth  the  city  of  the  dead.  Precious 
dust  will  be  gathered  here." 

The  first  interment  was  that  of  Mrs.  Sarah  S.,  wife  of 
George  F.  Blake,  now  of  Boston.  She  was  the  daughter 
of  William  Skinner  of  Lynnfield.  Her  remains  were  afterward 
removed  to  Mount  Alburn.  The  next  was  that  of  Miss  Mar- 
garet Ann  Gates,  who  sleeps  near  the  centre  of  the  enclosure. 
Not  far  from  her  lies  what  was  mortal  of  Belle  Cushman  Eaton, 
and  near  by  is  the  lot  set  apart  for  the  soldiers  and  sailors. 
But  a  short  distance  from  the  last  named  is  the  Hood  monu- 
ment, where  rest  the  oldest  couple  that  probably  ever  graced 
Lynnfield.  At  a  short  passage  is  the  solid  granite  (native) 
monument  of  Messrs.  Bancroft  and  Herrick,  and  one  nearly  of 
the  same  description  marks  the  last  resting  place  of  John 
Danforth,  Esq.  Near  the  gate  is  the  marble  monument 
erected  to  the  memory  of  Miss  Lydia  Newhall.  On  the  east, 
enclosed  in  a  granite  curbing,  are  the  twin  monuments 
of  Aaron  Hewes  and  Levi  H.  Russell,  who  have  passed 
away.  Not  far  off  is  the  Wellman  and  Carter  monument, 
of  beautiful  Swedish  granite.  One  of  the  prettiest  memo- 
rial stones  is  that  of  Micajah  Pope,  placed  at  his  grave  by 
his  widow. 


OF   LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  lOI 

In  this  cemetery  sleep  and  are  memorials  of  the  following 
soldiers  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion  :  Asa  R.  Reed,  Henry  B. 
Wellman,  Lieut.  Benj.  W.  Parsons,  George  W.  Wiley,  George  A. 
Norwood,  James  Norwood,  Manfred  C.  Cook,  Daniel  Cook, 
James  M.  Roberts,  Charles  Goss,  Edward  Sanborn  Coney. 

This  cemetery  promises,  if  the  town  should  grow,  to  be  like 
Copp's  Hill,  in  Boston,  —  surrounded  by  the  habitations  of  the 
living. 

WILLOW    CEMETERY. 

This  cemetery  is  the  last  one  laid  out  by  the  town,  and  is 
but  a  short  distance  from  the  South  Schoolhouse,  on  the  street 
to  Lynnfield  Centre.  It  is  quietly  situated  just  out  of  the 
village.  It  was  purchased  by  the  town  of  Gen.  Josiah  New- 
hall  for  the  sum  of  ^550  in  1869.  The  surveying  was  care- 
fully and  faithfully  done  by  the  Rev.  Jacob  Hood  when  nearly 
eighty  years  of  age.  The  front  of  it  is  a  faced  wall  of  granite 
with  a  semicircular  entrance,  like  Forest  Hill,  at  the  central 
portion  of  the  town. 

The  cemetery  contains  more  than  two  hundred  and  fifty 
lots,  and  is  already  being  much  of  it  taken,  and  presents  the 
look  of  a  modern  cemetery.  One  of  the  first  to  be  buried 
here  was  Major  Andrew  Mansfield,  died  Dec.  17,  1869, 
aged  68  years  3  months.  A  large  marble  monument  marks 
the    place    of  his  sepulchre. 

On  the  left  side  as  you  enter,  a  short  distance  from  the  out- 
side, is  a  monumental  stone  whose  story  reads  :  — 

A  Soldier 

Charles  H.  Forrester 

Died 

June  16:  1 87 1 

zEt.  32  yrs. 

Here,  among  the  tasty  monuments  and  tablets,  sleep  many 
of  Lynnfield's  sons  and  daughters,  such  as  Gen.  Josiah  New- 


I02  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

hall,  Elbridge  Gerry,  Daniel  Mansfield,  and  their  wives, 
descendants  of  those  who  peopled  this  town  many  years  ago, 
and  others  with  whom  they  have  associated,  and  here  in  the 
quiet,  near  the  green  woods,  with  the  schoolhouse  in  sight  and 
the  locomotive's  whistle  near  by,  one  after  another  is  brought 
to  sleep  in  Mother  Earth,  while  friends  recount  their  deeds  and 
mark  their  names  in  marble. 

"  Then  shall  the  dust  return  to  the  earth,  as  it  was  and 
the  spirit  shall  return  unto  God  who  gave  it." 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  IO3 


CHAPTER  VII. 
The  Revolutionary  War. 

It  is  needless  to  recount  the  incidents  that  brought  on 
the  war  with  England,  as  every  scholar  has  ample  opportunity 
to  study  them  in  every  village  school;  neither  can  we  give  one 
town  all  the  credit  due,  when  it  was  simply  a  per  cent  oi 
another ;  but  we  are  sure  Lynn  End,  now  Lynnfield,  did  her 
part  nobly,  and  will  give  such  facts  relative  thereto  as  we 
have  been  able  to  obtain,  commencing  April  19,  1775, 
although  before  this  the  military  company  had  been  called 
out,  it  being  when  the  British  tried  to  take  the  North  Bridge 
at  Salem.  At  this  time  and  for  many  years  after  the  ammu- 
nition was  stored  in  the  attic  of  the  old  meeting-house,  the 
powder  house  on  Powder  Hill  not  being  built. 

At  this  time  "  Congress  issued  paper  money,  at  first  three 
millions  of  dollars,  and  soon  enough  for  two  hundred  millions," 
which  in  the  course  of  half  a  dozen  years  was  rather  poor 
stuff,  and  the  depreciation  of  currency  made  sad  havoc  of 
people's  fortunes.  The  First  Church  had  a  fund  which  was 
on  interest.  After  the  war  had  ceased  the  fund,  with  interest 
of  twenty  years,  did  not  amount  to  its  original  value. 

I  used  to  look  at  specimens  of  the  aforesaid  money  and 
think,  I'm  glad  we  don't  have  such  small  bits  of  paper,  little 
thinking  that  soon  another  war  would  bring  the  same. 

We  cannot,  nor  do  we  wish  to,  help  admiring  the  "spunk" 
of  our  Revolutionary  forefathers ;  and  when  speaking  of  them 


I04  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

let  US  not  forget  our  foremothers,  for  both  had  the  real  Yankee 
grit.  Societies  were  formed,  who  pledged  themselves  not  to 
purchase  foreign  articles,  but  to  make  the  necessities  and 
forego  the  luxuries  of  life.  Spinning  and  weaving  were  done 
by  those  who  could  afford  to  buy.  Sheep  were  forbidden  to 
be  used  as  an  article  of  food,  that  their  wool  might  be  made 
into  clothing,  and  a  suit  of  "homespun  "  was  very  fashionable. 
Is  it  not  a  pleasure  to  think  that  we  belong  to  such  a  glorious  an- 
cestry,—  men  who  "fought,  bled,  and  died  "  for  their  country, 
and  whose  memories  should  be  held  in  grateful  esteem? 

We  see  them  made  prisoners,  walking  barefoot  on  the  ice 
and  snow,  so  they  could  be  tracked  by  the  blood,  without 
food  and  shelter  when  well,  and  care  and  medicine  when  sick, 
while  their  families  at  home  were  practising  the  most  rigid 
economy,  giving  their  pewter  to  be  made  into  bullets,  and,  in 
fact,  suffering  all  the  horrors  of  war,  while  they  had  not  some 
of  the  reliefs  of  the  present  time. 

No  post  office  threw  out  its  priceless  store  of  letters,  detail- 
ing how  the  soldier  fared  in  camp  or  the  battle-field  ;  no 
telegram  announced  if  he  were  wounded,  while  no  railway 
was  in  readiness  to  convey  the  loved  ones  to  the  sick  or  the 
dying  brother,  husband,  or  father,  or  to  bring  him  home ;  no 
newspaper  conveyed  the  latest  intelligence  from  the  seat  of 
war,  but  everything  must  be  done  in  a  slow,  single  way,  if 
done  at  all,  compared  with  the  present  age.  Think  of  waiting 
three  weeks  to  hear  from  New  York  ! 

Tories  soon  became  scarce  articles,  leaving  by  hundreds  for 
Mother  England's  broad  domains,  or  if  staying  on  the  soil 
were  "  still  as  mice."  We  regret  to  know  that  no  memorial 
of  our  "  fallen  heroes  "  has  been  publicly  raised  to  their 
worth,  and  that  what  was  applicable  to  nations  is  also  to 
towns,  — 

"  How  nations  slowly  wise  and  meanly  just 
To  buried  merit  raise  the  tardy  bust," — 


JAMES  HEWES. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  10$ 

and  trust  future  generations  will  improve  on  the  past  in  this 
respect,  although  all  are  not  to  be  blamed  for  this  forgetful- 
ness. 

In  an  account  of  the  Revolutionary  patriots  I  feel  that 
in  no  way  can  it  be  so  well  done  in  part  as  by  giving  a 
sketch  from  a  newspaper  by  Capt.  Aaron  Foster  when  ninety 
years  of  age,  one  who  knew  the  length  and  breadth  of  this  town, 
being  born  within  a  mile  and  a  half  of  its  Common,  having  at- 
tended church  and  school  here,  and  "  lastly,  but  not  leastly," 
married  two  wives  of  the  Mansfield  family.  It  is  a  pleasure  to 
copy  in  his  own  words  so  able  an  article  from  such  a  worthy 
personage  :  — 

"  As  Lynnfield  was  a  part  of  Lynn  during  the  Revolutionary 
War,  it  is  difficult  at  this  time  to  distinguish  the  soldiers  who 
belonged  to  Lynn  from  those  who  belonged  to  Lynnfield,  as 
they  are  all  included  in  one  list.  The  Lynn  historians  have 
given  the  names  of  one  hundred  and  sixty- eight  men,  not  in- 
cluding those  who  fell  at  Lexington  on  the  19th  of  April,  1775, 
a  part  of  whom  belonged  to  what  is  now  Lynnfield.  I  shall 
therefore  attempt  to  give  only  a  few  short  biographical  notices 
of  some  with  whom  I  had  some  acquaintance,  and  of  one  or 
two  others  of  whom  I  have  the  most  reliable  tradition.  Of 
the  four  who  fell  at  Lexington  three  belonged  to  what  is  now 
Lynnfield,  viz.,  Daniel  Townsend,  William  Flint,  and  Thomas 
Hadley.  Townsend  lived  in  the  central  part  of  the  town, 
FHnt  and  Hadley  lived  in  the  southerly  part  of  the  town. 

"  Among  those  who  were  wounded  on  the  famous  19th  of 
April  was  Timothy  Munroe  of  Lynnfield,  whose  house  was  on 
the  left-hand  side  of  the  road  after  crossing  the  river  from 
Wakefield  to  Lynnfield  by  way  of  Salem  Street.  The  house 
has  been  well  preserved  and  is  still  in  good  condition.  Mr. 
Munroe  is  deservedly  mentioned  by  the  Lynn  historians  as 
follows :  '  He  was  standing  behind  a  house  with  Daniel 
Townsend  and  firing  at  the  British  troops  as  they  were  com- 


I06  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

ing  down  the  road  on  the  retreat  toward  Boston.  Townsend 
had  just  jfired  and  exclaimed,  "  There's  another  redcoat  down," 
when  Munroe,  looking  around,  saw  to  his  astonishment  that 
they  were  completely  hemmed  in  by  the  flank  guard  of  the 
British  army,  who  were  coming  down  the  fields  behind  them. 
They  immediately  ran  into  the  house  and  sought  for  the 
cellar,  but  no  cellar  was  there.  They  looked  for  a  closet,  but 
there  was  none.  All  this  time,  which  was  but  indeed  for  a 
moment,  the  balls  were  pouring  through  the  back  windows^ 
making  the  glass  fly  around  them.  Townsend  leaped  through 
the  end  window,  carrying  the  sash  and  all  with  him,  and  in- 
stantly fell  dead.  Munroe  followed  and  ran  for  his  life.  He 
passed  for  a  long  distance  between  both  parties,  many  of 
whom  discharged  their  guns  at  him.  As  he  passed  the  last 
soldier  who  stopped  to  fire  he  heard  the  redcoat  exclaim, 
"  Damn  the  Yankee,  he  is  bullet  proof,  let  him  go."  Mr. 
Munroe  had  one  ball  through  the  leg  and  thirty-two  bullet- 
holes  through  his  clothes  and  hat.  Even  the  metal  buttons 
of  his  waistcoat  were  shot  ofl".  He  kept  his  clothes  till  he  was 
tired  of  showing  them,  and  died  in  1808,  aged  72  years.'  To 
the  above  historical  account  it  may  be  added  that  Munroe, 
while  pursuing  the  retreating  British  from  Lexington,  came  to 
a  wounded  British  soldier,  who  begged  of  him  to  dress  his 
wound,  which  was  bleeding  very  rapidly.  Mr.  Munroe  used 
his  handkerchief  to  stop  the  flowing  blood  from  the  soldier's 
wound.  To  reward  him  for  his  kindness  the  soldier  took  from 
his  clothes  a  silver  buckle  which  Mr.  Munroe  gave  to  the  late 
Mrs.  Caleb  Green,  Sr.  It  is  now  in  the  possession  of  her 
grandchildren,  the  heirs  of  the  late  Joshua  Green.  If  it  could 
be  obtained,  I  think  it  would  be  a  valuable  and  attractive 
article  for  the  Wakefield  Historical  Society. 

"  Another,  whose  name  I  do  not  find  mentioned  in  history, 
and  who  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  was  Noah  Newhall. 
He  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  landlord  of  the  Lynnfield 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  I07 

Hotel,  and  who  afterwards  kept  a  public  house  at  Reading  for 
a  few  years,  and  then  removed  to  Vermont,  where  he  died, 
leaving  five  daughters  and  one  great-granddaughter.  None 
of  his  descendants  are  known  now  to  be  livin.y. 

"  Among  the  numerous  and  exciting  incidents  of  his  army 
life  one  was  to  be  a  witness  of  the  execution  of  Major  John 
Andre,  the  British  spy.  He  was  one  of  the  number  detailed 
for  duty  on  that  memorable  occasion.  These  facts  were  given 
to  the  writer  by  one  of  his  daughters,  more  than  fifty  years 
ago.  She  had  heard  her  father  relate  the  story  of  the  execu- 
tion, with  many  particulars  in  connection  with  it. 

"Another  of  Lynnfield's  heroes  was  the  late  Capt.  Eben- 
ezer  Hart,  who  fought  '  long  and  well '  for  his  country's 
freedom  and  independence,  continuing  in  the  army  from  the 
beginning  to  the  end  of  the  war.  He  must  have  endured 
many  hardships  and  privations  during  his  long  term  of  army 
service,  and  no  man  in  the  army  was  more  deserving  of  the 
pension  he  received  in  the  later  years  of  his  life.  He  lived 
in  the  northerly  part  of  the  town,  where  he  reared  a  large 
family  of  children,  giving  them  all  a  very  good  common  school 
education. 

"  Being  intelligent  and  well  informed  on  matters  and  things 
in  general,  he  took  much  interest  in  the  subject  of  education 
as  well  as  in  other  matters  of  public  interest.  He  had  an 
argumentative  turn  of  mind,  and  was  tenacious  and  inflexible 
in  defending  the  ground  he  had  once  taken.  I  have  known 
him  to  hold  discussions  with  an  antagonist  on  some  theologi- 
cal point  for  nearly  an  hour  after  he  had  been  called  two  or 
three  times  to  his  dinner,  being  determined  to  have  the  last 
word,  thus  showing  that  when  warmed  up  in  an  argument 
with  an  opponent,  and  having  his  choice,  he  would  rather 
fight  than  eat  at  the  same  price. 

''  For  the  opportunities  he  had  he  was  a  man  of  extensive 
and  varied  reading,  and  so  well  posted  in  political  as  well  as 


Io8  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

in  theological  history  as  to  make  him  an  able  debater  and  a 
formidable  antagonist. 

"  In  private  life  he  was  a  man  of  quiet  manners,  kind  and 
courteous,  but  independent  and  flat  footed  as  a  mugwump  in 
his  opinions,  and  fearless  in  expressing  them,  a  faithful  friend 
as  well  as  a  determined  opponent.  In  the  War  of  1812 
party  spirit  ran  very  very  high,  and  political  subjects  were 
discussed  with  great  warmth  and  animosity.  He  belonged 
at  that  time  to  the  Jefferson  school  of  Democrats,  and  there 
were  but  two  others  in  Lynnfield  in  about  a  hundred  voters 
that  at  that  time  belonged  to  his  party,  viz.,  Joseph  Pearson 
and  Eben  Waitt,  both  good,  honest,  and  well-meaning  citizens, 
but  not  at  all  aggressive  or  active  in  political  matters.  Until 
the  year  18 14  the  voters  of  Lynn  and  Lynnfield  voted  to- 
gether for  State  officers,  and  it  belonged  to  Lynnfield  to  have 
one  of  the  five  representatives  for  both  towns.  Capt.  Hart 
was  one  of  those  taken  as  a  candidate  for  Lynnfield,  and  hav- 
ing a  majority  of  the  Lynn  voters  on  his  side,  was  elected,  over 
all  opposition  in  his  own  town,  by  a  large  majority.  Some  of 
his  descendants  in  the  female  line  remain  in  Lynnfield  and 
some  in  other  places. 

"  Another  of  the  veterans  of  Lynnfield  was  Aaron  Nourse. 
His  native  place  was  in  the  north  part  of  the  town.  The 
Danvers  railroad  passes  directly  over  the  spot  where  he  was 
born.  He  was,  as  I  remember  him,  not  very  intelligent,  but  an 
honest,  industrious,  hard  laboring  man.  He  had  three  chil- 
dren, but  none  of  his  posterity  are  living.  His  simple-minded 
son  was  for  a  long  term  of  years  a  burden  to  the  town  of 
Lynnfield.  The  old  soldier,  like  other  old  soldiers  in  later 
years,  would  'shoulder  his  crutch  and  tell  how  fields  were 
won,'  and  in  one  of  the  fields  in  which  he  was  engaged  after 
the  battle  was  won  and  the  enemy  had  left  the  field,  and  as 
his  regiment  was  in  pursuit  of  the  retreating  foe,  he  came  to 
a  dead  British  soldier  on  the  ground  with  a  gun  by  his  side, 


■i  r 

■I 


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y 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  IO9 

a  much  better  one  than  the  one  he  was  carrying,  and  in  a  case 
like  this  he  seemed  to  think  that  '  exchange  was  no  robbery,' 
and  took  the  dead  soldier's  gun  and  left  the  one  he  was  carry- 
ing. It  was  called  the  king's  arm  from  its  having  been  used 
in  the  king's  service.  His  life  ended  by  falling  from  a  load  of 
hay.  James  Nourse,  whose  name  is  mentioned  in  connection 
with  his,  is  supposed  to  be  his  brother  and  a  soldier  of  the 
Revolution  from  Lynnfield. 

"  Another  on  the  roll  of  honor  from  Lynnfield  was  Joshua 
Burnham.  He  at  one  time  lived  upon,  and,  as  is  supposed, 
owned,  the  place  or  a  part  of  it  now  owned  by  Mr.  Thomas  E. 
Cox.  Some  time  after  the  war  he  was  made  colonel  of  the 
Lynn  regiment.  He  spent  the  closing  years  of  his  life  in 
Wakefield.  His  descendants  are  numerous,  some  being  in 
Lynnfield,  some  in  Wakefield,  and  some  in  other  places. 

"  Lieut.  John  Upton,  who  served  in  the  Revolutionary 
War,  lived  upon  and  owned  the  place  now  owned  by  Mr. 
Frank  Hart.  He  was  a  man  of  strong  mental  powers  and 
much  energy  of  character.  He  must  have  acted  a  very  con- 
spicuous part  in  the  Revolutionary  history  of  the  town.  He 
died  at  quite  an  advanced  age  of  ninety  years.  In  politics  in 
the  later  years  of  his  life  he  was  a  Federalist,  and  strongly 
opposed  to  the  Jeffersonian  school  of  Democrats.  In  per- 
sonal appearance  he  was  a  man  of  large  stature,  of  medium 
height,  but  of  stout,  portly  frame  and  stately  mien,  and  with  a 
countenance  expressive  of  dignity  and  intelligence,  and  of  one 
born  to  command,  though  he  held  no  higher  rank  than,  that  of 
lieutenant.  In  his  religious  opinions  he  belonged  to  the 
Congregational  school  as  it  remained  during  the  time  in 
which  he  lived. 

"^  There  were  some  others  from  Lynnfield  in  the  army  service 
who  perhaps,  though  not  so  worthy  of  notice  as  the  above 
named,  were  yet  good,  quiet,  peaceable,  industrious  citizens, 
and  undoubtedly  acted  well  their  part  during  their  service  in  the 


no  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

army.  Taken  as  a  whole  it  may  be  said  of  them  that  they 
were  men  '  inflexible  in  faith,'  as  the  event  proved  '  invinci- 
ble in  arms.'  " 

One  Revolutionary  soldier  in  this  chapter  needs  a  word. 
Ebenezer  Parsons,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  was  born  in 
Leicester,  Mass.,  March  13,  1762.  His  father,  Israel  Parsons, 
dying  in  1767,  he  came  to  Lynnfield  to  live  with  his  grand- 
father, Ebenezer  Bancroft.  He  was  married  to  Nabby  Smith, 
Nov.  18,  1787,  and  resided  in  Lynnfield  till  his  death,  April 
17,  1843,  at  the  age  of  eighty-one. 

Little  is  known  of  his  service  as  a  soldier,  except  that  he 
was  with  Gen.  Sullivan  at  the  siege  of  Newport. 

"In  1778  Washington  and  Count  d'Estaing  arranged  for 
the  French  fleet  to  attack  the  British  near  Rhode  Island,  and 
Sullivan  was  sent  with  a  large  force  to  co-operate  in  besieging 
Newport.  On  the  day  appointed  for  the  combined  attack 
a  violent  storm  so  shattered  the  French  vessels  that  they 
withdrew.  After  defeating  the  English  in  one  engagement, 
Sullivan's  forces  retired  from  Rhode  Island." 

The  length  of  his  first  term  of  service  is  not  known,  but 
that  he  re-enlisted  for  six  months  in  1780  is  shown  by  the  fol- 
lowing copies  of  documents  in  the  possession  of  his  grandson, 
Ebenezer  Parsons :  — 


Lynn  July  4th  1 780 

wee  do  hereby  Engag  &  promise  to  Ebenezer  Parsons  of  Lynn,  being 
an  inlisted  souldier  in  the  Continental  army  for  six  months,  to  deliver  him 
thre  Cows  at  the  End  of  the  sd  six  months  in  Lieu  of  his  six  months 
wages,  he  delivering  his  six  months  wages  or  money  Equel  thereto  to  us  or 
Either  of  us,  the  sd  cows  to  be  as  good  as  cows  are  one  with  another  that 
is  to  say  midling  Cows. 

JOSEPH   GOWING 
THOMAS  TOWNSEND 
JOHN   PERKINS 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  Ill 

A  copy  of  his  discharge  :  — 

Ebenezer  Parsons  a  Soldier  in  Col  E.  Putnam's  Reg.  Discharged  the 
service,   the  Isuing  Commisariat  will  Enoch  Putnam  Col  Comdt 

furnish  you  with  Provision  on  your  march  home. 

West  Point  Dec  6  1781. 


On  the  back  of   the    discharge  is    the    following  indorse- 
ment :  — 

this   may   Sertify   that   the    Barrer   has    Drawn    Provision   to   the  9th 
Instant. 

J.  NYE,  Q.  M. 
in  behalf  J.  Forsyth  A.  C.  B. 

WM  DEEN 
Issued  3  Rations : 

W.  M.  T. 

That  his  service  as  a  soldier  did  not  cease  with  the  close  of 
the  war  the  following  will  show  :  — 

Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts 

To  mr  Ebenzer  Parsons  greting 

You  Being  appointed  sargent  major  of  the  Fifth  Regt  First 
seal  r  Brjgaid  &  2d  Division  Commanded  By  Colo  Fredk  Breed,  By 
Vertue  of  the  Power  Vested  in  me  I  do  by  these  Presents 
grant  you  this  warant,  you  are  therefore  Carefuly  and  Diligently  to 
Discharge  the  Duty  of  sargent  major  in  Leeding  &  ordering  &  Ex- 
ercising said  Regt  in  arms.  Both  inferior  officers  and  soldiers  &  to  keep 
them  in  good  order  and  Disapline  and  they  are  hereby  Commanded  to 
obey  you  as  their  sargent  major,  and  you  are  yourself  to  obeserv  and  folow 
such  orders  and  instructions  as  you  shall  from  Tim  to  Time  Reseve  from 
your  superier  officers. 

given  under  my  Hand  and  Seele  at  Lynn  this  Seventh  Day  October 
one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  Eighty  Nine. 

FREDK  BREED  Colo 


112  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

He  first  received  a  pension  in  1818,  as  the  following 
document  will  show  :  — 

WAR  DEPARTMENT. 
Revolutionary  Claim. 

I  certify,  that  in  conformity  with  the  law  of  the  United  States  of  the 
i8th  of  March,  1818,  Ebenezer  Parsons,  late  a  Private  in  the  Army  of  the 
Revolution,  is  inscribed  on  the  Pension  List  Roll  of  the  Massachusetts 
Agency  at  the  rate  of  eight  dollars  per  month,  to  commence  on  the  4th 
day  of  April  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  eighteen. 

Given  at  the  War  Office  of  the  United  States  this  i6th  day  of  May, 
one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  eighteen. 

^-^  J.  C.  CALHOUN, 

SEAL  ^  Secretary  of  War. 


He  received  an  invitation  to  be  present  at  the  laying  of 
the  corner-stone  of  the  monument  erected  in  Danvers  (now 
Peabody),  in  commemoration  of  the  battle  of  Lexington  :  — 

Danvers,  April  14,  1835. 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Parsons. 

Dear  Sir,  —  An  association  of  gentlemen  in  Danvers  have  deter- 
mined to  erect  a  monument  in  commemoration  of  the  battle  of  Lexington 
and  those  citizens  of  Danvers  who  were  the  first  martyrs  of  our  liberties. 
The  ceremonies  of  laying  the  corner-stone  will  take  place  on  Monday, 
the  20th  instant. 

In  behalf,  sir,  of  the  subscribers  to  the  monument,  you  are  hereby  re- 
spectfully invited  to  be  present  on  that  occasion  and  take  the  place  assigned 
you  in  the  procession  among  the  Revolutionary  patriots,  those  few  living 
memorials  of  the  patriotism  of  1775. 

The  procession  will  be  formed  in  front  of  the  Old  South  Meeting-House 
precisely  at  10  o'clock  A.  m.  Your  presence  and  early  attendance  is 
desired. 

JON.  SHOVE, 

Chairtnan  of  Committee  of  Arrangements. 


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OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 13 

Nor  would  we  fail  to  mention  in  our  heroes  of  the  Revolu- 
tion who  have  lived  in  this  town  the  well-remembered,  never 
to  be  forgotten  name  of  Martin  Herrick,  M.  D.,  who  was  born 
in  the  neighboring  town  of  Reading  in  1747,  and  a  graduate  of 
Harvard  College,  1772.  It  is  said  that  "he  studied  medicine 
with  Gov.  Brooks  of  Medford,  and  that  he  met  Paul  Revere 
in  his  memorable  ride,  and  going  in  an  opposite  direction 
gave  the  warning.  He  fought  in  the  battle  of  Lexington,  and 
after  the  battle  assisted  in  caring  for  the  wounded.  He  en- 
listed in  the  army,  from  which  he  was  transferred  to  the  navy 
as  surgeon,  and  was  twice  captured  by  the  British."  He  lived 
at  different  times  in  different  parts  of  this  town ;  at  one  time 
he  was  a  school  teacher  here.  He  died  here  in  1820,  and 
was  buried,  by  his  special  request,  in  the  old  burying  ground. 
His  grave  is  but  a  short  distance  from  the  gate  in  a  straight 
line,  but  it  is  not  marked  in  any  way,  and  was  pointed  to  the 
writer  almost  forty  years  ago  by  one  who  knew  him  and  attended 
his  funeral.     He  was  buried  with  Masonic  honors. 

Another  soldier  was  James  Bancroft.  He  was  born  in  1756, 
and  entered  the  Revolutionary  army,  1775,  at  the  age  of  19  ; 
served  as  a  lieutenant  of  infantry,-  was  discharged  at  the  close 
in  1783  ;  married  Sarah  Parsons  of  Leicester,  Mass. ;  went  into 
trade,  failed  in  a  few  years,  became  an  inspector  in  the  Boston 
Custom  House,  where  he  remained  till  his  death,  April,  1803, 
aged  47;  his  wife  having  died  April,  1795.  -^^  ^^^^  ^^^^ 
sons  and  three  daughters ;  one  son  and  one  daughter  died 
in  infancy  ;  James,  Henry,  Charles,  Sarah  Parsons,  and  Har- 
riett lived  to  mature  age.  The  latter  became  the  wife  of 
Rev.  Benjamin  C.  Cutler,  an  Episcopal  clergyman.  Sarah 
Parsons  was  never  married.  Henry  was  the  only  one  who 
remained  at  Lynnfield.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Society  of 
the  Cincinnati,  and  always  attended  its  meetings  on  the  fourth 
of  July  with  his  accustomed  punctuality. 

The  above  James  was  the  son  of  James,  who  was  the  son 


114  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN 

of  James,  who  was  the  son  of  John,  who  was  grandson  of  the 
first  Bancroft  settled  here. 

A  white  stone  in  the  old  burying  ground  is  placed  in 
memory  of  Lieut.  James  Bancroft  and  Esther  Smith,  his  wife, 
who  died  here,  the  former  Aug.  22,  18 14,  aged  82  years,  and 
the  latter  in  March  of  the  same  year. 

Capt.  Thomas  Emerson  was  born  in  1757  ;  married  Ruth, 
daughter  of  James  Bancroft,  Esq. ;  died  in  Lynnfield,  at  the 
Henfield  house. 

He  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  a  man  of  great  bravery 
and  patriotism.  He  was  a  prisoner  in  Dartmour  Prison.  His 
widow  survived  him  many  years ;  died  at  the  house  of  her 
daughter,  Mrs.  Benjamin  Cox,  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety- 
one  years.  She  was  a  woman  of  great  cheerfulness  and 
intelligence.  Hubbard  Emerson  was  their  son,  and  Mrs. 
Burnham  their  daughter,  beside  others. 

Capt.  Emerson  and  his  wife  were  buried  in  the  old  grave- 
yard at  Wakefield,  where  their  tombstones  may  be  seen. 

It  is  said  that  Capt.  Emerson,  at  Concord,  saw  two  foemen 
meet,  fire  at  each  other,  and  both  fell  dead. 

Lynn  End  lost  in  the  struggle  three  of  her  noble  sons,  and 
one  other  was  supposed  to  have  perished  for  his  country's 
sake.  Two  others,  at  least,  died  from  effects  of  being  out  on 
alarms.  One  woman  died  from  the  loss  of  her  husband, 
another  from  a  nervous  fever,  and  many  carried  to  their 
graves  hidden  sorrows  which  came  of  the  war.  There  were 
many  who  had  the  smallpox  in  the  army,  others  were  never 
well  after  their  return  home ;  one  living  but  a  year,  another 
two,  and  the  list  of  mortality  at  home  was  frightfully  large. 
Indeed  it  would  be  impossible  to  state  the  woes  of  war,  for 
"  the  half  was  never  told." 

The  alarm  and  training  band  were  ready  to  be  called  at 
any  time. 

The  first  resistance  of  the  British  at  the  North  Bridge,  Salem, 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  I  1 5 

found  them  there.  The  battle  of  Lexington  found  them  there. 
They  were  at  Champlain,  at  New  York,  and  in  many  battles. 
These  were  the  sons  of  and  grandsons  of  many  who  left  the 
mother  country  for  liberty,  and  were  resolved  to  maintain 
that  cause,  and  were  the  authors  of  many  an  exploit  worthy  to 
be,  but  never  chronicled  in  fame. 

During  the  year  1816  a  young  man,  from  one  of  the  towns 
in  this  county,  on  horseback  came  to  Lynnfield.  He  called  at 
the  minister's.  Rev.  Mr.  Mottey's,  to  engage  a  situation  as 
teacher  of  the  Centre  School.  He  was  directed  by  him  to  go 
a  mile  farther,  to  one  of  the  committee.  Arriving  there,  the 
door  was  opened  by  one  of  Lynnfield's  fair  young  ladies,  per- 
haps twenty  years  of  age,  who  showed  him  into  the  house, 
where  the  school  was  engaged.  He  then  went  back  to  his 
home,  and  in  stating  the  circumstances  to  his  father,  men- 
tioned the  man's  name.  His  father  had  a  wonderful  memory, 
and  told  his  son  to  ask  the  gentleman,  after  he  had  given  an 
excellent  description  of  him,  if  he  was  not  at  the  battle  of 
Ticonderoga,  and  if  he  remembered  seeing  one  who  was  there, 
which  all  proved  true ;  and  it  proved  true  that  the  young  man, 
and  lady  who  ushered  him  into  her  home,  were  after 
married,  and  lived  not  only  threescore  and  ten  years,  but  an- 
other score  added  to  that,  raised  a  fine  family,  and  are  now 
resting  in  Lynnfield  Centre. 

Let's  find  the  fields  where  our  old  sires 

Were  trained  for  martial  glory, 
And  learned  to  face  the  hostile  fires 

And  write  their  names  in  story; 
Inspect  ihejirelock,  pouch,  and  horn, 

'Wit.  prifuing-wire  and  duster, 
The  two  spare  flints  and  old  canteen, 


At  trainings  and  at  mtcster. 


L.  Eaton. 


Il6  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

Every  schoolboy  has  learned  of  the  tea  in  connection  with 
the  war  of  the  Revolution,  but  a  footnote  from  the  Memorial 
History  of  Boston  is  so  interesting  that  we  insert  it  in  this 
connection  :  "  Charles  Waterton,  the  enterprising  traveller  and 
naturalist  of  Walton  Hall,  Wakefield,  Yorkshire,  makes  a 
humorous  reference  to  the  Tea  Party  in  his  autobiography, 
written  between  1812  and  1824."  "  It  is  but  some  forty 
years  ago,  our  western  brother  had  a  dispute  with  his  nurse 
about  a  cup  of  tea.  She  wanted  to  force  the  boy  to  drink  it 
according  to  her  own  receipt.  He  said  he  did  not  like  it  and 
that  it  absolutely  made  him  ill.  After  a  good  deal  of  spar- 
ring she  took  up  the  birch  rod  and  began  to  whip  him  with 
uncommon  severity.  He  turned  upon  her  in  self-defence, 
showed  her  to  the  outside  of  the  nursery  door  and  never  more 
allowed  her  to  meddle  with  his  affairs." 


Uncultured,  rough,  yet  strong  and  true, 
Who  all  life's  humbler  duties  knew,  — 
Such  men  as  these  the  times  could  boast, 
The  "  van  of  Freedom's  stalwart  host." 

E.  Parsons. 


It  is  said  that  at  the  north  part  of  the  town  a  rocking-chair 
swayed  to  and  fro  all  night  while  the  battle  of  Lexington  was 
going  on.  A  cannon  ball  was  fired  at  the  battle  of  Bunker 
Hill  over  into  Maiden,  and  was  preserved  in  this  vicinity  till 
1834,  and  was  then  sold  for  old  iron,  after  having  been  rumbled 
over  the  attic  floor  thousands  of  times. 

An  old  table  is  in  existence  here  that  was  taken  from  a 
house  in  Charlestown  when  the  town  was  burnt  in  1775. 

The  following  is  the  epitaph  on  the  hero  of  the  Revolu- 
tion's tombstone  :  — 


REV.     HARRY    !■.    BRICKETT. 


OF   LYNNFIELD,i^MASS.  Il7 

"Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Mr  Daniel  Townsend  who  was  slain  at  the 
Battle  of  Lexington  April  19,  1775  —  aged  36. 

Lie  valiant  Townsend,  in  the  peaceful  shades  we  trust 

Immortal  honors  mingle  with  thy  dust  — 

What  though  thy  body  struggled  in  its  gore 

So  did  thy  Saviour's  long  before 

And  as  he  raised  his  own  by  power  divine 

So  that  same  power  shall  quicken  thine 

And  in  eternal  glory  may'st  thou  shine." 

His  wife  died  just  six  months  afterwards. 


Il8  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Ecclesiastical  History. 

The  Second  Church  of  Lynn,  now  the  First  of  Lynnfield, 
was  formed  Aug.  17,  1720,  five  years  after  the  erection  of  the 
meeting-house  and  one  hundred  after  the  settlement  of 
Plymouth.  Although  this  was  the  Second  Church  of  Lynn, 
most  of  the  inhabitants  attended  and  belonged  to  the  First 
Church  in  Reading,  now  the  First  in  Wakefield,  which  was 
formed  in  1644;  some,  however,  went  to  Lynn.  The  num- 
ber of  members  at  its  formation  was  twenty,  and  we  have  be- 
fore us  a  list  of  nineteen  more  who  lived  here. 

Rev.  Nathaniel  Sparhawk  was  the  first  pastor.  He  was 
ordained  Aug.  17,  1720.  He  was  son  of  Rev.  Nathaniel 
Sparhawk  of  Cambridge,  where  he  was  born  1694.  His  wife 
was  Elizabeth  Perkins  of  Lynnfield.  She  died  May  12,  1768. 
His  salary  was  seventy  pounds  a  year.  His  house  stood  on 
the  spot  now  occupied  by  the  Whitteridge  Wheeler  house,  and 
he  graduated  at  Harvard  College,  1 7 1 5 .  He  had  four  children  : 
Elizabeth,  Nathaniel,  Edward  Perkins,  and  John.  Tradition 
says  the  latter  was  an  eminent  physician  in  Philadelphia. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  Rev.  Mr.  Sparhawk's  letter  of 
acceptance  as  pastor  of  the  church  in  Lynn  End,  now  Lynn- 
field :  — 

January  ye  21,  1719-20. 
Dear  friends  and  beloved 

After  service    presented  to  you  it  may  be  not  all  improper  to  inform 
you  with  respect  to  a  few  things 


OF   LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  II9 

Whereas  God  from  whom  we  have  our  beings  and  for  whose  service 
and  glory  we  are  to  improve  ourselves,  and  in  his  soverign  pleasure 
disposes  man  for  ye  administration  of  ye  affairs  of  his  kingdom  in  this 
world  has  in  his  providence  disposed  your  hearts  to  make  choice  of  my- 
self the  most  unworthy  for  to  teach  and  instruct  you  in  ye  mysterys  of 
his  kingdom  and  further  ye  in  the  way  of  your  salvation  and  also  inclined 
you  to  grant  a  Compitsey  of  outward  things  according  to  your  ability  for 
my  support  and  subsistance. 

In  consideration  of  these  I  accept  of  your  call  praying  to  God  for  grace 
and  strength  that  I  may  be  enabled  to  perform  all  dutys  and  services  in- 
cumbent on  me  as  also  that  a  peaceable  and  healing  spirit  may  be 
amongst  you  that  you  may  dwell  together  in  unity  and  further  one 
anothers  peace  and  comfort,  thus  far  I  thought  fit  to  acquaint  you,  and 
take  leafe  to  subscribe  myself  yours  and  Christs  to  serve 

NATH'LL  SPARHAWK. 

The  following  is  a  part  of  the  covenant  used  at  the  time  : — 

"  In  humble  dependence  on  free  grace  for  divine  assistance  and  accept- 
ance we  do  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord  freely  covenant  and 
bind  ourselves  solemnly  in  the  presence  of  God  himself  his  holy  angels 
and  all  his  servants  here  present  to  serve  the  only  true  God,  Father,  Son, 
and  Holy  Ghost,  whose  name  alone  is  Jehovah,  cleaving  to  him,  as  our 
chief  good  and  unto  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  as  the  only  Saviour  the 
Prophet,  Priest,  and  King  of  our  souls  in  a  way  of  Gospel  obedience 
Avowing  the  Lord  to  be  our  God  and  of  our  children  whom  we  give 
unto  him,  and  resolve  that  we  and  our  houses  will  serve  the  Lord  counting 
it  as  an  high  favor,  that  the  Lord  will  accept  of  us  and  our  children  with 
us  to  be  his  people  " 

The  list  appended,  containing  some  of  the  first  members  of 
the  church,  is  certainly  interesting  in  this  connection  :  — 

Thomas  Wellman.  Ebenezer  Bancroft. 

Ebenezer  Person.  Hugh  Henry. 

Thomas  Goold.  Jonathan  Wellman. 

Moses  Aborn.  Stephen  Wellman. 

Jeremiah  Eaton.  Martha  Aborn. 

Jonathan  Person.  Sarah  Latherbee. 

Ezeikel  Gowing.  Ruth  Goold. 

John  Williams.  Elizabeth  Aborn. 


I20  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

Mary  Bancroft.  Sarah  Frost. 

Abigail  Hodgman.  Hannah  Person. 

Mehitable  Osgood.  Mary  Boutwell. 

EHzabeth  Whitford.  Hepsibel  Person. 

Rebecca  Williams.  Tabitha  Person. 

Mary  Henry.  Margaret  Chambers. 

Abigail  Gowing.  Abigail  Aborn. 

Patience  Bancroft.  Elizabeth  Bancroft. 

Martha  Gowing.  Sarah  Eaton. 

Martha  Chambers.  Mary  Gowing. 

Mary  Wellman.  Mary  Gloyde. 

John  Wellman.  Mehitable  Wellman. 

Samuel  Latherbee.  Elizabeth  Sparhawk. 

Daniel  Gowing.  Mary  Bancroft. 

John  Perkins.  Hannah  Gowing. 

The  records  of  the  church  during  Rev.  Mr.  Sparhawk's 
ministry  could  not  be  obtained  of  him,  as  he  felt  he  had  not 
been  in  some  ways  kindly  used,  so  the  records  do  not  com- 
mence till  1732. 

The  title-page  reads  :  — 

"  Deacon  John  Bancrofts  Gift  to  ye  2d  Church  in  Lynn  Anno  Dom. 
1732  Nov'br  ye  29  Anno  Christi  " 

Rev.  Stephen  Chase  was  the  second  pastor  of  the  church. 
He  was  born  at  Newbury,  Mass.,  1705,  graduated  at  Harvard 
College,  1728,  and  was  ordained  over  this  church,  Nov.  24, 
1 73 1.  The  churches  invited  to  sit  in  council  and  for  the 
ordination  were.  First  in  Lynn,  Second  and  Third  in  Salem, 
Second  in  Hampton,  First  in  Stoneham,  and  First  and 
Second  in  Reading,  —  seven  churches  in  all.  He  married  Jane 
Wingate,  of  Hampton,  in  1732.  They  had  five  children,  born 
in  Lynnfield,  viz.  :  Abraham,  Stephen,  Jane,  Stephen,  2d, 
and  Mary.  He  resigned  his  pastoral  office  in  1755,  going  to 
Newcastle,  was  resettled,  and  died  there  in  1778.     His  salary 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  .  I2T 

in  Lynnfield  was  ^loo.     It   is  worthy  of  remark  that  for  the 

next  hundred   years  in  this   place  the  name  of  Stephen  was 

very  common. 

The  next  and  third  pastor  was  Rev.  Benjamin  Adams,  also 

a  native  of  Newbury,  Mass.,  being  born  there  May  8,  1719,  a 

graduate  of  Harvard  College  when  but  nineteen  years  of  age ; 

ordained   Nov.   5,   1755.     His   letter   of  acceptance  read   as 

follows  :  — 

Lynn  End  Sept.  29,  1755 

To  YE  2  Chh.  and  Congregation  in  Lynn 

Beloved  Brethren,  —  You  have  sometime  since  seen  meet  very  unani- 
mously to  call  me  to  be  your  Pastor  and  as  I  understand  your  desires  are  the 
same  —  not  diminished  but  increased  and  as  I  have  had  proper  time  for 
consideration,  I  now  accept  your  call  and  I  hope  I  can  say  not  without 
some  consideration.  "  But  who  is  sufficient  for  these  things "  says  the 
Apostle  2  Cor.  2  and  therefore  I  shall  have  your  prayers  «&c    B.  ADAMS. 

Mr.  Adams  had  seven  children  born  in  this  place.  They 
were,  Rebekah ;  Dr.  Benjamin,  born  Sept.  7,  1758,  married 
Eunice  Orne,  of  Lynnfield,  and  died  here  Jan.  16,  18 11,  aged 
fifty-three  years ;  EHzabeth,  Sarah,  Ann,  Joseph  and  Nathan, 
twins.  His  wife,  Rebecca,  died  less  than  a  year  preceding 
his  death,  of  consumption  or  dropsy,  after  two  years  and  four 
months'  illness,  in  the  forty-third  year  of  her  age.  He  died 
May  4,  1777,  of  a  short  illness,  in  the  fifty-eighth  year  of  his 
age  and  twenty-second  of  his  ministry.  It  is  said  that  he 
died  in  his  pulpit  in  the  old  meeting-house.  At  his  death 
the  parish  defrayed  the  expense  of  his  funeral,  procured  his 
gravestone,  and  voted  that  his  family  have  the  improvement 
of  the  parsonage  for  that  year.  He  was  buried  near  the  first 
minister  of  Lynnfield,  but  the  headstone  has  lain  for  many 
years  in  a  shattered  condition,  and  could  hardly  be  deciphered 
many  years  ago.  The  footstone  is  very  large,  stands  erect, 
and  is  still  very  easy  to  read. 

Rev.  Benjamin  Adams  had  a  twin  brother,  who  graduated 
at  Harvard,  1742,  four  years  after  his  brother.  They  were  born 


122  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

in  that  part  of  Newbury  called  *'  By  field."  The  brother's  name 
was  Joseph.  He  was  a  preacher  of  the  New  Light  persuasion,  in 
his  native  town,  for  some  years,  and  was  afterwards  settled  in 
Stratham,  N.  H.,  June  24,  1756,  and  died  Feb.  i,  1785,  aged 
66  years. 

Rev.  Joseph  Mottey  was  the  fourth  pastor  of  this  church, 
born  May  14,  1756,  and  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College, 
Aug.  26,  1778.  He  preached  as  a  candidate  in  Marblehead, 
Beverly,  Ipswich,  Rowley,  and  Newbury,  receiving  calls  from 
the  last  two  societies.  After  supplying  the  pulpit  at  Lynnfield 
for  three  years,  he  was  ordained  Sept.  24,  1783.  He  married 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Mr.  Joseph  Moody,  of  York,  Maine. 
She  died  27th  of  August,  1787,  aged  32  years.  His  children 
were,  Charles,  Elias,  Charles,  Edward,  Betsey,  and  Ehza ;  all 
of  them  preceded  him  in  death,  with  the  exception  of  the  last. 
He  is  said  to  have  been  very  sensitive,  fond  of  retirement,  and 
it  is  related  of  him  that  he  preached  more  than  forty  years  within 
nine  miles  of  his  birthplace  and  never  exchanged  pulpits  there. 
Several  works  of  his  were  printed  which  are  still  in  existence. 
He  took  great  interest  in  all  things  about  him,  and  was  a  great 
favorite  with  his  people. 

He  died  on  Monday,  July  9,  182 1,  after  but  five  days'  sick- 
ness, and  was  laid  to  rest  as  the  sun  went  down,  by  his  request, 
in  as  simple  and  quiet  a  manner  as  possible ;  and  we  see  that 
this  church  had  but  four  pastors  for  more  than  a  century. 
Rev.  Mr.  Mottey  was  sixty-six  years  of  age  and  in  the  thirty- 
eighth  of  his  ministry,  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

To  show  his  love  for  his  adopted  home  we  copy  a  sentence 
written  by  him  bearing  date  April  6,  1795  :  — 

"  By  the  aid  you  have  herein  afforded  me  should  things 
return  to  their  old  channel  I  hope  by  prudence  and  economy 
to  be  able  in  a  few  years  to  place  myself  in  such  a  situation  as 
to  be  able  to  spend  the  remainder  of  my  days  among  a  people 
with  whom  it  has  ever  been  my  wish  to  live  and  die." 


O 

a 

w 

o 
H 
<=! 

o 

W 


3^ 


I 


^S^ 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 23 

He  desired  that  all  his  sermons,  about  three  thousand  in  num- 
ber, should  be  destroyed,  which  was  done;  and  he  also  wished 
no  public  services  in  the  meeting-house,  but  that  everything  be 
done  as  quietly  as  possible  at  his  funeral. 

The  fifth  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Joseph  Searle,  who  was  born 
at  Rowley,  Mass.,  Dec.  2,  1789,  and  was  a  graduate  of  Dart- 
mouth in  1 81 5,  and  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  First  Church, 
Jan.  21,  1824.  He  resigned  Sept.  27,  1827,  and  removed  to 
Stoneham. 

Mr.  Searle  was  unmarried,  and  all  the  time  he  was  pastor 
everything  seemed  to  be  uphill  work.  He  is  said  to  have  been 
thoroughly  Orthodox,  and  at  Mr.  Mottey's  death  it  was  thought 
that  the  congregation  would  never  be  united  on  another  man  — 
and  it  proved  true. 

The  first  four  pastorates  of  this  church  extended  over  a 
century,  but  the  fifth  hardly  covered  three  years. 

The  deacons  of  this  church  have  been  William  Eaton,  Dec. 
20,  1733;  John  Bancroft,  Dec.  20,  1733;  Daniel  Townsend, 
1738;  Daniel  Mansfield,  March  8,  1756;  Nathaniel  Ban- 
croft, May  31,  1763;  John  Perkins,  1823;  John  Mansfield, 
April  I,  1824  ;  Samuel  Aborn,  June  i,  1864 ;  Warren  Bancroft, 
June  17,  1823;  John  Perkins,  July  3,  1839;  William  Smith, 
Nov.  5,  1847  ;  John  Herrick,  May  3,  1867  ;  Joseph  T.  Ban- 
croft, Sept.  6,  1876;  George  E.  Herrick,  Feb.  19,  1879; 
Thomas  B.  Wellman,  April  23,  1882  ;  William  R.  Roundy,  1887. 

The  church  was  at  its  foundation  strictly  Orthodox.  At 
the  time  of  Rev.  Mr.  Mottey's  settlement,  in  1783,  it  was 
objected  to  his  becoming  pastor  of  the  church  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Stone  of  Reading,  it  being  thought  that  he  was  much  too  rigid. 
The  next  year,  Feb.  23,  1784  :  — 

"  The  Church  met  according  to  adjournment  and  voted  tinanimoiisly 
that  the  practise  of  admitting  persons  to  covenant,  and  in  consequence 
thereof  granting  them  the  privilege  of  Baptism  for  their  children  while 
they  themselves  neglect  the  ordinance  of  the  Lord's  Supper  appears  to 


124  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

them  unscriptural  —  and  voted  to  admit  no  persons  in  future  into  covenant 
except  those  v^^ho  come  up  to  the  ordinance  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 

"  Attest :  J.  MOTTEY." 

After  the  dismissal  of  Rev.  Joseph  Searle,  Lynnfield  had 
no  regular  minister  for  several  years. 

A  part  of  the  society  remained  Orthodox,  and  a  part  be- 
came Unitarians ;  these  offered  the  Orthodox  party  joint  occu- 
pancy of  the  church,  also  to  have  all  the  evangelical  preaching 
they  could  pay  for,  promising  to  attend  upon  such  preaching 
as  well  as  upon  their  own.  The  Methodists  had  withdrawn 
before  the  death  of  Mr.  Mottey,  causing  him  much  trouble. 

In  1832  eighteen  persons  withdrew  to  form  '^  a  religious  so- 
ciety to  be  known  as  the  Orthodox  Evangelical  Society  in  Lynn- 
field."  Resort  was  had  to  arbitration  to  dispose  of  a  part  of  the 
church  property,  Benjamin  Merrill  and  Asahel  Huntington  be- 
ing arbitrators.  They  decided  that  "  the  stove  and  communion 
plate  formerly  owned  by  the  First  Congregational  Society  in 
Lynnfield  still  belong  to  said  society."  Also,  that  "  said  trustees 
shall  pay  to  said  First  Congregational  Society  the  sum  of  one 
hundred  and  seventy-five  dollars,  part  of  the  fund  held  by  said 
trustees;  .  .  .  that  the  residue  of  said  trust  moneys  subscribed 
in  1 81 8  belongs  and  shall  be  paid  to  said  Orthodox  Evangeli- 
cal Society  for  its  use." 

Among  those  who  left,  it  is  said,  were  the  trustees,  the  Sun- 
day-school superintendent,  the  deacons,  and  most  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  church. 

About  the  year  1830  efforts  were  made  to  establish  Unita- 
rian preaching,  but  no  minister  of  that  faith  was  settled  in  the 
town ;  for  twelve  years  there  was  no  settled  minister  except 
the  three  of  Mr.  Searle's  pastorate ;  there  were  many  causes 
to  weaken  the  church  and  society ;  there  was  a  partial  supply 
of  preaching  by  the  Unitarians  ;  for  over  ten  years,  services 
were  not  held  in  the  old  church,  most  of  the  members  attend- 
ing the  church  across  the  street,  of  which  Rev.  Henry  S.  Green 
was  pastor. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  I  25 

The  Universalist  Home  Missionary  Society  took  possession 
of  the  field.  The  old  meeting-house  was  opened  Dec.  i6,  1849, 
Rev.  George  H.  Emerson  being  the  first  preacher.  After  him 
we  remember  Rev.  Carlos  Marston,  a  man  of  great  worth,  who 
afterward  became  a  physician  at  Dedham,  Mass.  Rev.  Luther 
Walcott  was  ordained  1854,  and  continued  till  the  close  of  the 
next  year,  when  he  was  dismissed.  Sermons  were  read  from 
eminent  preachers  in  this  pulpit  by  Mr.  Ebenezer  Parsons,  a 
native  of  Lynnfield,  and  at  the  present  time  town  clerk,  from 
June  29,  1856,  till  May,  1864.  After  a  recess  of  one  year 
services  were  recommenced,  and  continued  until  July,  1879. 
Since  then  there  have  been  but  occasional  meetings.  One  of 
great  interest  was  held  on  Sept.  8,  1881,  and  as  was  said  in  the 
"  sketch"  *  of  the  First  Religious  Society  in  Lynnfield,  read  be- 
fore the  Essex  Unitarian  Conference  :  ''One  date  more  in  my 
history  a  large  congregation  is  assembled  in  the  old  church. 
From  far  and  near  they  have  come  to  fill  it  once  more  and  to 
do  honor  to  its  one  hundred  and  sixty-six  years,  have  met  to 
listen  to  a  few  incidents  scattered  along  the  years  of  the 
simple  story  of  a  little  spring  that  bubbled  up  here,  sparkling 
with  the  waters  of  religious  liberty  that  in  1620,  ninety-five 
years  before,  fell  in  a  quiet  but  copious  shower  to  be  stored 
up  'neath  the  rocks  and  in  the  soil  of  a  virgin  continent,  that 
the  thirsty  of  all  lands  might  come  and  drink." 

It  is  a  fact  that   nine  generations  in  succession   have  wor- 
shipped in  the  old  meeting-house. 

The  Orthodox  Evangelical  Society  was  organized  September, 
1832,  with  twelve  members.  Rev.  Josiah  Hill,  from  Henniker, 
N.  H.,  was  pastor  of  this  church  from  Oct.  23,  1833,  to  April 
23,  1837.  He  was  born  at  Bradford,  Mass.,  1792.  When 
he  removed  from  this  place  his  wife  and  son  still  remained 
here,  and  both  of  them  died  and  are  buried  here ;  the  son 
Joseph  by  name,  leaving  a  widow  and  two  sons. 

Rev.  Mr.  Hill    removed  to   the  West,  and  I  think  had  a 

*  By  E.  Parsons. 


126  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

second  wife.  He  lived  many  years  after  he  left  this  place, 
which  he  used  afterward  to  visit.  When  he  came  to  live  here 
he  resided  in  the  Wheeler  house,  but  he  afterward  built  the 
house  now  occupied  by  William  E.  Roundy,  near  the  Common. 
Services  were  at  first  held  in  the  Centre  Schoolhouse,  which 
stood  on  the  same  spot  as  the  present  building,  till  the  new 
house  of  worship  was  built,  which  was  dedicated  October, 
1833.  This  is  the  same  one  now  used  by  the  parish,  having 
obtained  the  age  of  more  than  threescore  years,  and  it  is  in 
most  respects  the  same  as  when  built.  It  is  still  surmounted 
by  an  altar  steeple,  so  common  in  those  times.  The  dimen- 
sions of  the  church  edifice  proper  are  the  same  as  when  it  was 
built.  In  many  ways  of  course  it  has  been  modernized : 
new  stained  glass  windows  have  been  put  in,  the  pulpit  has 
come  down  a  notch,  a  chapel  has  been  added  to  the  rear  with 
its  kitchen,  dining-room,  and  library ;  the  box  stove  has  been 
taken  out,  and  the  building  is  now  heated  by  a  furnace  ;  concrete 
walks  have  been  made  around  the  building,  and  the  light- 
ing apparatus  has  been  greatly  increased  and  improved,  till  the 
building  is  quite  a  gem  for  the  place. 

Rev.  Henry  Solomon  Green  was  a  native  of  Boston ;  was 
ordained  as  pastor  of  the  church  at  Lynnfield,  from  which  he 
had  received  a  call,  Nov.  6,  1837,  Dec.  27,  1837.  The 
churches  represented  were  those  of  South  Reading,  now  Wake- 
field, Middleton,  Reading,  Danvers,  Peabody  First,  Wenham, 
and  North  Reading.  The  council  met  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
Whittredge  at  nine  o'clock.  The  exercises  of  ordination 
commenced  at  the  church  at  11. 15  o'clock.  The  intro- 
ductory prayer  was  by  Rev.  Mr.  Jefford  of  Middleton  ;  sermon 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Braman  of  Danvers ;  ordaining  prayer  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Park  of  Peabody ;  charge  by  Rev.  Mr.  Emerson  of  Wake- 
field ;  right  hand  of  fellowship  by  Rev.  Mr.  Mansfield ;  address 
to  the  people  by  Rev.  Mr.  Pickett ;  concluding  prayer  by  Rev. 
Mr.   Orcutt.     Rev.  Daniel   Mansfield  of  Wenham,  and  Dea. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 27 

James  Brown,  delegate  from  Peabody,  were  both    natives  of 
Lynnfield. 

Soon  the  old  church  was  closed,  and  the  members  of  the 
parish  worshipped  with  this  church  till  near  the  time  Rev.  Mr. 
Green  went  away,  in  April,  1850. 

The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  U.  W.  Condit,  who  was  ordained 
October,  1850,  having  come  from  Orange,  N.  J.  He  was  a 
very  active  man,  and  under  his  care  the  church  and  society 
prospered  greatly.  At  the  time  of  his  removal  here  he  had 
one  son  and  three  daughters ;  and  one  daughter,  Gertrude, 
was  born  at  the  Lynnfield  parsonage,  who  is  still  living.  Rev. 
Mr.  Condit  was  settled  immediately  over  the  church  in  Deer- 
field,  N.  H.,  on  his  dismissal  from  Lynnfield  Centre,  which  oc- 
curred at  his  own  request.  He  has  since  been  blind,  is  now 
aged. 

The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  Edwin  R.  Hodgman,  a  native  of 
Camden,  Me.,  where  he  was  born  Oct.  21,  18 19.  He  was 
settled  at  Lunenburg,  Mass.,  previous  to  his  coming  here. 
He  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College  in  1843,  ^^^  ^^  Andover 
Theological  Seminary,  1846.  His  first  wife  was  Miss  Harriett 
Hill,  of  Mason,  N.  H. ;  and  the  second,  whom  he  married  on 
coming  to  this  place,  was  Miss  Abby  Symonds. 

He  was  installed  Jan.  9,  1856,  and  dismissed  Nov.  30,  1858  ; 
and  was  afterward  pastor  at  Westford,  Mass.  He  also  wrote  the 
history  of  that  town,  a  large  work  which  shows  great  care  and 
accuracy.  He  is  now  living  at  West  Roxbury,  and  oc- 
casionally visits  this  his  former  parish,  where  he  is  held  in  high 
esteem.     He  has  a  son  Edwin,  and  a    daughter  Hattie    M. 

During  the  interim  of  settled  pastors,  Rev.  William  C.  Whit- 
comb,  a  native  of  Marlboro,  N.  H.,  son  of  Dea.  Simeon  Whit- 
comb,  was  acting  pastor.  His  time  of  service  began  March 
14,  1859.  He  married  Miss  Harriet  Lincoln,  a  cousin.  They 
had  a  large  family  of  children.  His  former  pastorates  were  at 
Stoneham,  Globe  Village,  and  North  Carver.     He  enlisted  as 


128  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

a  chaplain  in  the  army,  went  to  North  Carolina,  and  died  at 
Morehead  City  in  that  State,  Oct.  27,  1863,  aged  forty-three. 

The  next  settled  pastor  was  Rev.  Moses  Bradford  Board- 
man,  who  was  born  in  the  parsonage  at  Francestown,  N.  H., 
May  25,  1833;  graduated  at  Amherst  College,  i860,  and  at 
Union  Seminary,  N.  Y.,  and  Andover  Seminary,  Mass.  He 
was  married  to  Miss  Ellen  Barbour,  who  was  born  at  Greens- 
boro, Ga.,  Aug.  28,  1839;  married  at  Harwinton,  Conn., 
Sept.  17,  1863  ;  ordained  at  Lynnfield,  Oct.  i,  1863  ;  and  he 
and  his  wife  were  much  beloved  by  his  people.  He  was  dis- 
missed Nov.  12,  1870.  His  children,  born  at  Lynnfield,  were 
Francis  Barbour,  born  Dec.  12,  1864;  Sarah  Bradford,  born 
Nov.  8,  1867,  she  died  here  Feb.  22,  1869,  of  scarlet  fever, 
and  sleeps  in  Forest  Hill  Cemetery ;  Henry  B.,  born  Aug. 
7, 1869.  Mr.  Boardman  was  installed  at  Brimfield,  Mass.,  Dec. 
I,  1870,  and  dismissed  1873.  He  now  resides  in  Connecticut- 
Rev.  Oliver  P.  Emerson,  a  native  of  the  Sandwich  Islands, 
where  his  father.  Rev.  John  Emerson,  was  a  missionary,  was 
the  next  pastor.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Andover  Theological 
Seminary,  and  when  he  was  ordained  Prof.  Smythe  preached 
the  sermon,  Sept.  13,  1871.  Rev.  Constantine  Blodgett, 
D.  D.,  was  the  moderator  of  the  council.  He  was  never  married, 
and  was  dismissed  July  2,  1873.  He  was  afterwards  settled  at 
Peacedale,  R.  I.,  and  at  length  returned  to  his  native  land. 
The  following  is  his  letter  of  resignation  :  — 

To  THE  Orthodox  Church  of  Lynnfield  Centre. 

Dear  Brethren  and  Fellow-  Workers  in  Christ,  —  Your  pastor  would 
submit  his  resignation  to  the  consideration  of  the  church  and  society,  to 
take  effect  on  the  second  day  of  July  next.  A  pastorate  which  to  him  has 
been  fraught  with  many  a  pleasant  memory,  and  to  his  people  he  trusts 
not  without  some  good  and  kindly  influence,  is  ready  to  resign  to  the  end 
that  the  best  interests  of  the  work  of  the  Master  which  concerns  us  may  be 
forwarded.  Yours  in  the  bonds  of  Christ, 

OLIVER  C.  EMERSON. 

Lynnfield  Centre,  April  12,  1873, 


HENRY    BANCROFT,     2d. 


OF    LYNNFIEI.D,    MASS.  I29 

The  next  pastor  in  town,  who  was  settled  over  both  of  the 
Orthodox  Congregational  churches,  was  Rev.  Darius  Bullock 
Scott,  and  he  remained  about  three  years,  being  installed 
over  them  Sept.  3,  1874,  and  dismissed,  at  his  own  request, 
April  10,  1877.  Rev.  Mr.  Scott  was  afterwards  setded  at  Clinton, 
Mass.,  and  is  now  a  preacher  in  the  far  West. 

The  preacher  the  next  Sabbath  after  Mr.  Scott's  depart- 
ure was  Rev.  Edward  O.  Bartlett,  successor  of  Rev.  John 
Todd,  D.  D.,  of  Pittsfield,  perhaps  the  most  talented  preacher 
this  church  ever  had.  He  was  acting  pastor  about  two  years. 
He  is  now  Rev.  Edward  O.  Bartlett,  D.  D.,  and  is  settled  in 
Providence,  R.  I.  His  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Hon.  A.  C. 
Barstow  of  Rhode  Island,  and  one  of  their  children  was 
born  here.  Dr.  Bartlett  often  preaches  in  his  former  pulpit 
with  great  acceptance. 

April  I,  1880,  Rev.  Calvin  B.  McLean  was  stated  supply 
for  one  year.  He  came  from  New  Boston,  part  of  Sandisfield, 
in  this  State,  and  left  here  for  Vineland,  N.  J.,  preaching  here 
just  a  year.  Rev.  Harry  L.  Brickett,  a  native  of  Newburyport 
(the  third  minister  in  Lynnfield  born  in  ancient  Newbury) 
was  the  next  pastor,  and  remained  twelve  years.  The 
house  is  still  standing  where  he  first  saw  the  light,  Sept.  14, 
1852.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Oberlin  College,  Ohio,  1875, 
and  of  Andover  Theological  Seminary,  1882.  He  came  to 
Lynnfield,  Sept.  i,  1882.  He  was  dismissed  Sept.  27,  1894, 
and  preached  his  farewell  sermon  the  last  day  of  September, 
1894.  He  commenced  his  labors  in  Marion,  Mass.,  Oct.  i, 
1894.  His  people  at  Lynnfield  Centre  gave  him  a  very  hand- 
some quartered  oak  sideboard  and  several  pieces  of  cut  glass 
to  take  away  with  him.  He  was  married  Aug.  5,  1885,  to  Miss 
Amelia  Herring,  daughter  of  Dr.  Frederick  and  Mrs.  Amelia 
Herring  of  Elkhart,  Ind.  They  have  one  child,  Helen  Irene, 
born  Feb.  27,  1890.  He  was  installed  pastor  of  the  Congrega- 
tional Church   at  Marion,   Mass.,  Nov.  28,  1894. 


130  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

The  following  is  the  letter  of  resignation  of  Rev.  H.  L. 
Brickett  to  the  churches  of  Lynnfield  :  — 

To  THE  Orthodox  Congregational  Church  and  Society  of  Lynn- 
field  Centre,  and  the  Second  Congregational  Church  of 
Lynnfield, 

Dear  Brethren,  —  It  is  known  to  you  that  for  some  time  I  have  been 
considering  a  call  to  another  field  of  labor.  It  came  to  me  unsolicited 
and  unsought.  I  knew  nothing  whatever  of  the  vacancy  until  I  was 
invited  to  preach  there  on  exchange.  I  went.  The  Lord  inclined  the 
hearts  of  that  people  to  me,  and  they  have  honored  you  and  me  alike  in 
the  unanimous  call  that  a  few  days  ago  I  received  at  their  hands.  Such 
an  opening  to  a  pastor  cannot  lightly  be  set  aside.  There  is  in  its  answer 
a  question  of  duty.  I  have  sought  to  be  guided  in  my  choice  by  the 
Great  Head  of  the  church,  and  my  prayer  has  been,  "  not  my  will  in  this 
matter,  but  thine,  O  Lord,  be  done." 

Believing  it  to  be  God's  will,  I  do  now  resign  the  sacred  trust  which 
twelve  years  ago  you  unanimously  placed  in  my  care  as  your  pastor. 

In  so  doing  my  love  for  you  is  in  no  degree  weakened,  nor  is  my 
interest  in  your  welfare  in  any  way  abated.  In  the  prosperity  and  growth 
of  these  two  churches,  whose  struggles  and  triumphs  have  been  linked  so 
closely  to  my  own  experience  and  life,  because  their  pastor,  I  shall  ever 
cherish  the  deepest  interest. 

That  I  love  you,  my  dear  people,  you  know  full  well.  My  service 
with  you  has  been  long  and  varied.  I  came  to  you  direct  from  Andover 
Seminary.  You  received  me  gladly,  you  welcomed  me  cordially.  After 
three  years  of  service  I  found,  like  Jacob  of  old,  in  a  far  country,  my  bride 
and  brought  her  to  the  parsonage.  You  gave  to  her  a  welcome  no  less 
cordial  and  hearty  than  you  had  given  to  me.  Here  our  little  Plelen 
Irene  was  born.  You  rejoiced  with  us  in  such  a  precious  addition  to  our 
household. 

I  have  been  with  you,  brethren,  at  your  marriage  feasts,  I  have  spoken 
the  last  words  at  the  burial  of  your  dead,  I  have  laid  my  hands  in  bap- 
tism upon  the  heads  of  your  children,  I  have  welcomed  many  a  disciple 
to  your  membership,  who,  in  the  presence  of  this  church,  has  entered  into 
the  rich  blessings  of  the  Gospel,  and  covenanted  at  this  sacred  altar  to 
walk  with  God  and  his  people  in  love.  I  have  rejoiced  with  you  in  the 
erection  of  a  chapel  at  each  church  for  the  furtherance  of  the  Lord's 
work  in  your  midst.  I  have  been  permitted  to  see  each  building  trans- 
formed by  your  generous  gifts  into  the  beautiful  edifices  in  which  we  meet 
from  Sunday  to  Sunday,  and  together  worship  the  Lord  in  his  sanctuaries, 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  I3I 

in  the  beauty  of  holiness;  I  have  given  many  an  address  in  Lynnfield  to 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  whose  heroism  and  devotion  these 
churches  have  been  prompt  to  recognize.  It  was  to  you,  my  dear  people, 
that  my  honored  father  preached  the  last  Sunday  of  his  earthly  ministry. 
It  was  in  your  evening  meetings  that  the  dear  sister,  whose  voice  less  than 
twelve  months  ago  was  hushed  forever,  gave  such  faithful  witness  for  her 
Lord  and  Master. 

These  memories  crowd  upon  me  as,  by  this  act  of  resignation,  I  sever 
the  ties  of  so  long  standing.  You,  on  your  part,  have  been  kind,  con- 
siderate, loving,  and  faithful.  No  other  church  or  people  could  be  more 
so.  You  have  held  up  your  pastor's  hands;  you  have  cheered  him  in  his 
hours  of  depression;  you  have  rejoiced  with  him  in  his  seasons  of  pros- 
perity and  gladness. 

Therefore,  it  is  with  a  heart  full  of  love  and  gratitude  to  you,  and  of 
sadness  at  the  thought  of  separation  and  leaving  my  first  pastorate,  that  I 
voice  this  resignation  to-day. 

I  ask  that  these  two  churches  unite  with  me  in  calling,  in  the  near 
future,  a  council  of  the  neighboring  churches  and  pastors  to  consider  our 
action,  and  advise  with  us  in  reference  to  the  same. 

If  judged  expedient  by  them  and  you,  I  would  name  Sunday,  Sept.  30, 
as  the  date  when  my  pastorate  in  Lynnfield  shall  end. 

With  the  earnest  prayer  that  God's  blessing  may  rest  upon  you  in  all  the 
days  to  come,  and  upon  his  work  everywhere,  and  wishing  you  grace, 
mercy,  and  peace,  I  am, 

Yours  in  the  bonds  of  Christian  love, 

HARRY  L.  BRICKETT. 

Lynnfield  Centre,  Mass.,  Sept.  8,  1894. 

The  present  pastor  of  the  two  churches  is  Rev.  George  E. 
Freeman  of  Boston. 

There  are  in  this  town  perhaps  half  a  dozen  CathoHc 
famiUes.  Most  of  them  are  highly  respected.  They  belong 
to  the  parish  of  Wakefield.  John  McCarty,  son  of  Charles 
and  Mary,  born  at  this  town  Dec.  9,  1872,  has  been  fitting 
for  a  priest.  He  was  a  scholar  in  the  public  schools  of  this 
town,  and  has  been  obliged  to  leave  his  college  duties  and 
return  home  on  account  of  ill  health,  but  is  gaining  at  the 
present  and  will  probably  return  after  a  season. 


132  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

PARSONAGES    OF    LYNNFIELD. 

"Oct  25,  1731.  Voted  to  procure  a  convenient  house  and  barn  as 
convenient  to  ye  meeting  house  as  may  be,  with  accomodations  to  keep 
3  cows  I  horse  and  10  sheep,  and  2  acres  of  land  to  raise  some  necces- 
saries  for  a  family. 

"Ye  house  to  be  36  feet  long  and  19  wide  and  ye  barn  20  feet  square, 
ye  house  to  have  a  convenient  cellar  and  two  stacks  of  chimnys." 

This  house  was  the  parsonage,  and  stood  where  the  late 
Judge  Nash's  residence  now  is.  The  house  had  a  lean-to  after- 
ward added.  The  place  at  the  time  was  known  as  the 
"  Charlestown  farm."  (See  1678  in  the  Annals.)  At  the  time 
it  was  purchased  it  belonged  to  the  Bancrofts. 

During  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Mr.  Sparhawk  no  parsonage 
had  been  provided,  as  he  had  a  wife  to  the  manor  born, 
for  she  inherited  a  part  of  her  father's  estate,  he  having  died 
while  she  was  a  child  and  leaving  a  competency. 

At  the  time  of  Rev.  Mr.  Mottey's  settlement,  the  parsonage 
was  given  him  "  in  lieu  of  settlement,"  and  at  his  death  de- 
scended to  his  only  child  and  daughter  who  lived  and  died 
there ;  and  after  the  death  of  her  husband,  Capt.  Henry  Ban- 
croft, it  was  sold  by  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Cyrus  Wakefield,  to 
the  present  occupants.  The  house  now  standing  was  built 
about  1 810. 

The  parsonage  of  the  Evangelical  Society  is  located  almost 
opposite  that  of  the  one  built  by  the  old  parish. 

A  ministerial  company  was  formed  in  1839.  The  land 
formerly  belonged  to  the  Bryant  farm.  It  was  bought  and 
a  house  built  for  Rev.  Henry  S.  Green  and  successors.  The 
shares  were  twenty- five  dollars  apiece,  and  there  were  fifty- 
seven,  as  follows  :  — 

Andrew  Mansfield  .         .         .         .  10  shares. 

Daniel  Needham  .  ,  .  .  10      "    • 

John  Mansfield  ....  8      " 

Thomas  Bancroft  ....  2      " 


OF    LYNNFIELD, 

MASS. 

John  Perkins    .         .          .          .          . 

8  s 

hai 

Oliver  Swain    . 

I 

William  Smith 

4 

Joshua  Hewes 

4 

Andrew  Mansfield,  Jr. 

5 

Henry  Bancroft,  2d 

3 

Benjamin  Shute 

1 

William  Smith,  Jr. 

• 

I 

T-^*- 

133 


as  a  standing  subscription  to  the  Orthodox  Society,  in  part 
payment  of  the  salary  of  the  minister  of  said  society.  April 
25,  1842,  the  shares  were  tendered  to  the  society. 

The  parsonage  remains  much  as  when  built,  except  some 
improvements. 

The  parsonage  has  been  the  birthplace  of  children  of  the 
following  ministers  :  Rev.  Henry  S.  Green,  Rev.  U.  W.  Con- 
dit.  Rev.  E.  R.  Hodgman,  Rev.  W.  C.  Whitcomb,  Rev.  E.  O. 
Bartlett,  Rev.  D.  B.  Scott,  and  Rev.   Harry  L.  Brickett. 

The  parsonage  is  now  owned  entirely  by  the  society.  The 
barn  was  a  gift  from  Dea.  John  Herrick,  Oct.  9,  1878. 


THE    LADIES      CIRCLE. 

The  ladies'  circle  of  this  church  and  society  was  formed 
April  5,  1838,  and  is  still  in  a  flourishing  condition.  Among 
its  objects  accomplished  have  been  aid  to  the  poor,  frequent 
assistance  in  the  payment  of  the  minister's  salary,  various 
improvements  in  the  church  building  and  parsonage,  the 
erection  of  a  chapel,  the  practical  rebuilding  of  the  parson- 
age well,  and  the  covering  with  concrete  of  a  large  space  in 
front  of  the  church  and  chapel.  The  preamble  of  their  con- 
stitution is  as  follows  :  — 

"Desirous  of  contributing  to  the  great  ol^jects  of  benevolence  which 
characterize  the  present  day,  and  considering  industry  and  economy  as 


134  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

prominent  virtues,  and  moral  and  religious  improvement  as  very  desirable, 
we,  the  undersigned,  associate  ourselves  for  the  promotion  of  those  objects 
under  the  following  constitution." 

This  circle  has  been  a  great  benefit  to  this  place  in  its  fifty- 
seven  years  of  existence.  It  was  the  prime  mover  in  buiding 
the  chapel  of  the  Centre  Church.  It  has  furnished  many 
entertainments.  It  has  cultivated  the  sociability  of  the  town. 
It  has  rendered  substantial  aid  many  times,  and  it  has  made 
the  surroundings  much  more  beautiful  and  agreeable. 

SABBATH    SCHOOLS. 

The  first  Sabbath  school  in  Lynnfield  was  in  the  old  meet- 
ing-house in  1823,  under  the  preaching  of  Rev.  Abner  Morse. 
Its  first  superintendent  was  John  Aborn.  Rev.  Joseph  Searle 
was  settled  here  the  next  year  and  became  also  superintend- 
ent of  the  school. 

Dea.  Warren  Bancroft  was  superintendent  for   many  years. 

William  Perkins  was  superintendent  about  1836. 

Benjamin  Shute  was  superintendent  for  two  years. 

Dea.  John  Perkins  followed  him. 

Dea.  William  Smith  was  chosen  superintendent  in  1841, 
and  continued  sixteen  years. 

Rev.  E.  R.  Hodgman  in  1856. 

Levi  H.  Russell  in  1857,  and  continued  for  five  years,  dur- 
ing which  time  the  Sabbath-school  concert  was  introduced. 

George  E.  Herrick  was  superintendent  for  six  years,  com- 
mencing in  1862. 

Joseph  T.  Bancroft  was  superintendent  in  1868,  and  for 
several  years. 

The  next  was  Charles  H.  Haggett. 

William  E.  Norwood,  1877,  for  three  years. 

Lyman  B.  Smith,  1880-85. 

George  H.  S.  Driver,  1885,  for  three  years. 

J.  Winslow  Perkins,  1888,  for  four  years. 

Charles  E.  Pearson,  1892,  for  three  years. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 35 


METHODIST    CHURCH. 


The  Methodist  Society  of  Lynnfield  was  formed  April  2, 
1816.  Among  its  first  trustees  were  the  well-known  names  of 
Daniel  Mansfield,  John  Upton,  Jr.,  Eben.  Parsons,  Jr.,  Oliver 
Swain,  Jeremiah  Coney,  Enoch  Russell,  and  Willard  Wiley. 
The  first  and  only  meeting-house  was  built  north  of  where  the 
town  hall  now  stands,  in  1823.  It  was  in  the  form  of  a  chapel 
of  those  times,  but  was  burned  to  the  ground,  the  fire  catching 
from  a  neighboring  house  on  the  evening  of  Sept.  25,  1894. 
For  many  years  it  had  not  been  used  as  a  house  of  worship, 
but  as  a  paint  shop.  The  land  was  given  by  Ebenezer 
Parsons,  and  was  to  revert  to  its  original  owner  if  not  used 
for  the  site  of  a  church  building. 

The  preachers  were  Rev.  Ephraim  Wiley,  181 6,  1821,  1826, 
1827,  1828,  1829;  Rev.  Orlando  Haynes,  181 9  ;  Rev.  Warren 
Emerson,  1825;  Rev.  Mark  Staples,  1830;  Rev.  Hezekiah 
Thatcher,  1833;  Rev.  John  Bailey,  1834;  Rev.  James  Wash- 
burn, 1846  ;  and  many  others. 

Lynnfield  has  been  the  home  of  many  Methodists.  An 
effort  was  made  years  ago  to  establish  a  church  of  this  faith 
at  the  south  part  of  the  town,  but  it  has  not  been  permanently 
successful. 

SOUTH    CHURCH. 

In  1849  R^^'-  Ariel  P.  Chute  of  Harrison,  Me.,  a  graduate 
of  Dummer  Academy  in  Newbury,  came  to  Lynnfield,  and 
opened  a  school  at  the  south  part  of  the  town.  In  1853  he 
removed  his  family  thither,  and  was  instrumental  in  gather- 
ing the  church  there,  which  is  Orthodox  Congregational. 

A  council  convened  Jan.  18,  1854.  The  churches  present 
were,  Tabernacle,  Salem,  Rev.  S.  M.  Worcester,  D.  D.,  pastor ; 
church  in  Saugus,  Rev.  L.  Brigham,  pastor,  and  Dea. 
Joseph  Harris,  delegate ;  church  in  Lynnfield  Centre,  Rev. 
U.    W.    Condit,     pastor,     Bro.     Joseph    Rhodes,    delegate ; 


136  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

church  in  North  Danvers,  Bro.  Francis  Phelps,  delegate. 
Rev.  Reuben  Emerson  of  South  Reading,  and  Rev.  Luther 
Farnum  of  Boston,  were  also  present  on  invitation.  Rev.  Dr. 
Worcester  was  chosen  moderator ;  and  Rev.  U.  W.  Condit, 
scribe. 

The  deacons  have  been  Adam  Hawkes,  1857,  died  1869; 
John  B.  H.  Fuller,  Byron  Richardson,  March  7,  1875. 

At  the  organization  of  the  church  the  introductory  services 
were  by  Rev.  Levi  Brigham ;  reading  of  the  confession  of 
faith  and  convenant,  the  assent  of  the  candidates  to  the  same, 
baptizing  of  those  not  previously  baptized,  and  address  to  the 
new  church  by  the  moderator ;  consecrating  prayer  by  the 
Rev.  Reuben  Emerson ;  right  hand  of  fellowship  by  Rev. 
U.  W.  Condit ;  concluding  prayer  and  benediction  by  Rev. 
A.  P.  Chute. 

The  names  of  the  original  members  were  :  — 

Adam  Hawkes.  Hannah  Mansfield. 

William  C.  Mansfield.  Lorena  Mansfield. 

Rev.  Ariel  P.  Chute.  Sarah  M.  W.  Chute. 

Abigail  R.  Moulton.  Sally  Spinney. 

Ehzabeth  C.  Moulton.  Mary  Burdett. 

Sophia  Titcomb.  Esther  Chandler. 

Susan  B.  Mansfield.  Lydia  Hobson. 

In  1854  the  Edwards  Church  of  Boston  presented  the  church 
with  a  communion  service  and  a  table.  The  church  held 
religious  services  in  a  building  that  had  been  fitted  for  a 
chapel  till  their  present  house  of  worship  was  dedicated,  after 
great  effort,  Nov.  18,  1857.  It  was  placed  on  a  lot  donated 
by  Gen.  Josiah  Newhall,  but  a  short  distance  from  his  residence. 

Rev.  Allan  Gannett  began  his  ministrations  to  this  church 
Jan.  I,  1858. 

Rev.  Jacob  Hood  commenced  as  acting  pastor  in  1865. 


Q 
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OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 37 

Rev.  Darius  B.  Scott  was  installed  as  pastor  of  this  and  the 
Central  Church,  Sept.  3,  1874. 

Rev.  Harry  L.  Brickett  was  installed  June  15,  1882,  as 
pastor  of  this  church,  and  also  the  Central.  He  was  dismissed, 
afcer  twelve  years  of  faithful  service,  Sept.  27,  1894,  and  was 
installed  at  Marion,  Mass.,  Nov.  22,  1894.  During  Rev. 
H.  L.  Brickett's  ministry  a  new  set  of  pulpit  furniture  was 
given  by  the  ladies'  union.  A  piano  was  bought,  and  a  new 
chapel  built  and  dedicated,  the  latter  in  1893. 

Dr.  Connor  B.  Swasey,  having  left  by  will  in  1892  over  $600 
for  the  use  of  this  church,  a  subscription  was  started  to  build 
a  chapel,  and  the  amount  was  so  largely  increased  that  the 
building  was  dedicated  free  from  debt,  1894.  A  piece  of  land 
was  given  by  Miss  Lucy  Brown.  A  vote  of  thanks  was  passed 
"in  appreciation  of  the  generous  giver  by  whose  remembrance 
the  church  had  been  so  richly  blessed,"  and  the  memorial  said 
that  "  this  new  building  will  be  a  reminder  of  him  so  pleasantly 
known  in  life,  now  gone  to  his  reward." 

The  belfry  of  this  church  edifice  contains  a  bell,  the  second 
church  bell  in  Lynnfield.  An  excellent  picture  illustrating 
this  building  may  be  found  in  this  work.  It  is  located  on 
Salem  Street,  and  was  nicely  frescoed  in  1894. 

As  may  be  readily  conjectured,  it  is  a  daughter  of  the 
church  at  Lynnfield  Centre,  and  we  think  it  is  destined  to  do 
great  good  in  the  community  where  it  is  located,  and  in  a  few 
years  perhaps  will  be  known  as  the  "Old  South,"  an  honored 
title  for  any  church  in  any  place.  This  church  has,  of  course, 
its  Sabbath  school  with  its  library,  its  missionary  society,  and 
other  appurtenances  needful  to  such  an  organization. 


138  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 


CHAPTER  IX. 
Date  of  Town,  etc. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  the  early  facts  of  this  or  any  town. 
As  early  as  1678,  the  distance  was  so  great  to  the  mother 
church  of  Lynn  that  many  of  them  went  to  the  "  Redding" 
church,  and  the  meeting-house  became  so  crowded  that  there 
was  not  room.  When  the  "  Old  Tunnell  "  was  to  be  built  there 
was  much  discussion  as  to  where  it  should  be  built.  The 
north  and  west  parts  of  Lynn  wishing  it  to  be  built  nearer  the 
centre  of  the  town,  a  spot  was  selected  not  far  from  Birch 
Pond,  in  what  is  now  Saugus,  an  elevation  that  has  always  since 
been  called  "  Choose  Hill,"  but  which  the  people  did  not  choose 
to  put  the  new  meeting-house  upon,  but  built  it  on  Lynn 
Common.  The  people  of  ''  Redding,"  in  their  perplexity,  peti- 
tioned to  the  General  Court,  which  did  not  seem  to  help  them. 
The  petition  is  quite  lengthy  :  — 

"  The  humble  petision  of  the  towne  of  Redding  Humbly  Showeth  — 
That  whereas  our  case,  being  as  your  petissiners  humbly  conseive,  soe 
sircumstanced  as  we  Know  not  the  like  in  all  Respects —  and  not  Know- 
ing which  waye  to  helpe  ourselves.  But  By  humbly  acquainting  yor 
honners  with  our  state,  your  honners  beeing  the  Fathers  of  the  Common- 
wealth to  which  wee  doe  belonge;  and  yor  petissiners  humbly  hoping  that 
yor  honners  will  helpe  soe  far  as  may  bee  to  the  Relieving  of  us  in  our 
case :  It  being  soe  with  us  that  wee  are  butt  a  poore  place,  very  few  above 
sixty  families  Abell  to  pay  the  Ministry,  and  severall  of  them  have  more 
need  to  Receive  than  to  paye.  If  wee  were  a  place  of  ability  as  many 
others  bee;  and  to  us  there  is  Adjacent  farmers,  which  bee  constant  hearers 
of  |the  word,  with  us,  which  goes  not  at  all  to  their  owne  towne,  But 
Transiently  as  others  doe;  Neither  came  they  one  the  Sabbath  days  butt 
bee  breakers  of  the  Lawe  of  God  and  of  this  commonwealth  as  we  con- 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 39 

seive.  And  to  many  of  them  itt  would  be  soe  intolerable  a  burthen,  then 
many  of  them  must  necessarily  refraine  from  the  pubHc  worship  of  god, 
established  amongst  us,  for  prevention  of  which  they  doe  heare  with  us, 
which  seems  to  be  very  hard  for  us  to  maintayne  Ministry  and  meeting- 
house conveniently  for  them,  and  others  to  force  them  to  paye  their  hole 
Rates  to  their  one  townes,  as  others  do;  or  if  some  of  them  bee  Better- 
minded,  the  bisenes  lyeth  so  at  the  present,  that  wee  have  nothing  from 
them  all  or  next  to  nothing. 

"  Another  thing  that  your  humble  petisioners  desire  to  declare  to  your 
honners  is  thatt  wee  have  now  not  roume enough  in  our  Meetinghouse  for 
ourselves,  but  the  Adjasent  farmers  being  one  third  or  very  neare  one 
third  as  much  as  wee,  wee  muste  build  anew  before  itt  bee  Longe  for  the 
house  will  be  too  littell  for  them  and  us,  which  wee  hope  your  honners 
will  consider  how  the  case  is  like  to  bee  with  us,  if  nothing  be  considered. 
Butt  as  wee  hope  itt  is  the  waye,  that  god  would  have  us  to  take  to  leave  the 
case  to  your  honners,  we  desire  humbly  soe  to  doe,  and  quiettly  to  reste  to 
this  honoured  Courte's  good  pleasure  as  to  what  hath  been  declared. 

"  And  shall  ever  pray —  In  the  name  &  by  the  consent  of  the  Reste  of 

the  inhabitants  of  the  town. 

"WM.   COWDREY. 

ROBERT   BURNAP. 

JON  A.    POOLE. 

THOMAS   PARKER. 

JEREMY   SWAINE." 

The  town  of  Reading  built  a  new  meeting-house  in  1688, 
and  liberal  subscriptions  were  given  from  Lynn  End.  We 
find  the  paper  to  contain  the  names  of  John  Pearson,  John 
Bancroft,  Hannaniah  and  Edward  Hutchinson,  Isaac  Hart, 
Capt.  Thomas  Bancroft,  John  Poole,  Timothy  Hartshorne,  and 
Jonn  Townsend.  Nearly  all  are  common  names  here  to  this  day. 
Lynnfield  became  a  district  in  1782,  and  has  since  borne  the 
name  of  I.ynnfield.  Previously,  in  becoming  a  precinct  the 
line  was  run  upon  the  highway  now  Salem  Street,  but  in  1782 
the  line  was  as  follows  :  — 

"  Beginning  at  Saugus  River  near  a  white  oak  tree  in  Jona- 
than Tarbell's  lower  field  near  the  cant  of  the  river  which  is  in 
the  line  between  Jefferd's  and  Brinton's  farms  and  running 
eastwardly  to  lands  of  Benjamin  Riddon ;   thence  turning  by 


I40  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

John  Pool's  land  as  the  wall  runs  to  a  great  rock  by  the  side 
of  the  hill ;  thence  southeasterly  to  Josiah  Newhall's  south- 
west corner  bound  adjoining  to  the  town  wall  so  called ;  thence 
running  southeasterly  to  Andrew  Mansfield's  southwest  cor- 
ner bound  at  the  wall ;  thence  running  as  the  wall  runs  to  the 
south  corner  of  John  Lindsey's  orchard ;  thence  northerly  as 
the  wall  runs  to  the  road  leading  from  Reading  to  Salem  ; 
thence  easterly  as  the  road  runs  to  Danvers  Hne."  Two  farms, 
those  of  Asa  Newhall  and  John  Lindsey,  on  what  is  now  Salem 
Street,  remained  in  the  old  town  of  Lynn,  and  this  is  the  line 
of  Lynnfield  at  the  present  time. 

The  town  of  Lynn  held  an  adjourned  meeting  June  19, 
1782,  when  their  committee  made  their  report,  as  follows  :  — 
"  We  the  committee  of  the  town  of  Lynn  and  the  committee  of  the 
North  Parish  in  sd  Town  chosen  by  sd  Town  &  Parish  to  agree  on 
some  terms  to  set  off  sd  Parish  from  sd  Town  as  a  separate  District,  have 
met  and  do  agree  to  set  off  sd  Parish  in  the  following  manner,  viz : 
they  the  sd  Parish  to  pay  all  their  proportion  of  the  Town's  debt  due  at 
this  time  &  all  town  charges  till  they  the  sd  Parish  are  set  off  by  the 
General  Court  as  a  separate  district  from  sd  Town  also  that  sd  Parish 
pay  their  proportionate  part  to  support  the  poor  of  sd  Town  till  the 
close  of  the  war  &  at  the  end  of  the  war  the  poor  shall  be  divided  & 
sd  North  Parish  shall  take  their  proportionate  part  of  sd  Poor  agreeable 
to  their  Taxes  &  that  the  sd  Poor  to  be  proportionable  by  a  committee 
chosen  by  sd  Town  &  Parish  viz :  sd  Town  to  chose  two  men  to  be  sd 
committee  &  sd  Parish,  one,  &  if  they  cannot  agree  on  sd  proportion 
to  have  power  to  submit  it  to  disinterested  men  mutually  chosen  and 
that  the  poor  be  under  the  care  of  the  above  sd  committee  during  the 
war  and  if  sd  North  Parish  request  it  they  to  take  their  proportion  of  sd 
Poor  and  support  them  in  sd  parish. 
"  Lynn  June  19,  1782. 

"JOHN  MANSFIELD,         ] 

WILLIAM  COLLINS,        | 

JAMES  NEWHALL,  \  To7vn  Committee. 

SAMUEL  SWEETSER, 

ABNER  HOOD, 

DANIEL  MANSFIELD, 

JONATHAN  TARBELL,    \  Parish  Co?nmitteer 

JOSEPH  GOWING, 


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OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  I41 

June  14,  1813,  a  committee,  consisting  of  three,  viz.,  Daniel 
Needham,  Andrew  Mansfield,  and  John  Upton,  Jr.,  were  chosen 
by  the  district  of  Lynnfield  to  petition  the  General  Court  to 
be  admitted  as  a  town,  which  was  done  after  remonstrances 
from  those  opposed  numbering  twenty-three,  the  chief  reason 
being  the  long  distance  to  travel,  nine  miles  or  rather  more, 
to  elect  representatives,  as  the  district  did  all  their  other 
public  business  at  the  meeting-house  in  Lynnfield. 

The  following  is  transcribed  from  the  town  records,  date 
of  1814:  — 

"  On  the  28th  day  of  February  in  the  present  year  an  act  passed  the 
Legislature  of  this  Commonwealth  incorporating  the  district  of  Lynnfield 
into  a  town  by  the  name  of  Lynnfield. 

"  A  copy  of  this  act  was  received  on  the  30th  day  of  March  following. 

«'  Attest :  "  JOHN  UPTON,  Jr.,  Toivn  Clerkr 

The  selectmen  for  the  above  year  were  John  Upton,  Jr., 
Andrew  Mansfield,  Wright  Newhall.  It  seemed  to  be  the 
"correct  thing"  to  become  a  new  town  about  this  time,  for 
just  before,  South  Reading  had  become  a  separate  town,  and 
one  year  later  Saugus  was  set  off  from  Lynn. 

L)mnfield  has  always  been  among  the  smallest  towTis  in  pop- 
ulation and  area  of  noble  old  Essex  County.  It  is  situated  on 
the  western  border,  and  the  neighboring  towns  of  Reading, 
Wakefield,  and  North  Reading  are  in  Middlesex  County. 
One  of  the  first  streets,  but  not  the  first,  is  now  known  as  Sum- 
mer Street.  It  was  laid  out  in  i6So  as  a  king's  highway.  The 
older  roads  led  from  one  house  to  another  till  they  passed 
through  the  town  with  innumerable  bars  and  gates  at  the  bound- 
ary of  each  owTier's  domain.  The  following  is  a  description  of 
the  town  in  1767,  by  E.  Parsons,  in  a  poem  wTitten  in  1S67  :  — 

"  One  church,  no  schoolhouse,  dwellings  few, 
Scattered  'mong  woods  and  fields  we  view, 
Few,  narrow,  poor,  the  king's  highways, 
For  still  ye  land  the  Briton  sways. 
Of  Lynn  End  such  the  brief  sketch  given 
In  seventeen  hundred  sixty-seven." 


142  HIS'JORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

A  writer  of  the  period  in  a  letter  says :  "  The  people 
there  (Lynn  End)  were  once  a  peaceable,  friendly  delightful 
round  of  acquaintance.  None  offered  to  do  another  wrong  or 
injury.  All  was  harmony.  The  neighbor  towns  upon  public 
days  delighted  to  visit  Lynn  End,  and  no  place  in  the 
province  was  better  esteemed  or  more  gratefully  respected. 
They  went  chiefly  to  Reading  meeting  and  were  contented." 
This  is  the  testimony  of  Dr.  Perkins,  one  born  in  this  town 
previous  to  1700,  one  who  sleeps  here  and  who  travelled  in 
England,  one  who  spent  a  part  of  his  life  in  Boston,  who  pos- 
sessed an  excellent  education,  so  that  he  knew  whereof  he 
affirmed  ;  and  other  things  show  that  this  locality  was  one  that 
one  might  be  proud  of. 

During  the  first  twenty- five  years  from  its  settlement  prob- 
ably its  growth  was  more  than  it  has  ever  been  since  in  the 
same  time,  and  nearly  all  were  a  worthy  class  of  citizens,  who 
made  the  town  more  and  more  a  desirable  place  of  residence, 
and  it  is  really  wonderful  how  much  was  done  in  those  few  years. 

From  the  first  the  citizens  of  the  territory  have  been  known  as 
farmers,  and  that  is  still  largely  their  business.  There  are  in  the 
town  eighty-seven  farms.  A  few  of  them  have  remained  in 
the  same  families  for  centuries,  many  of  them  half  of  that 
period.  Ever  since  the  settlement  loads  of  hay  and  cords  of 
wood  have  been  seen  efi  route  for  Lynn  and  Salem,  for  it  must 
be  remembered  that  the  latter  used  to  be  the  metropolis  for 
Lynnfield,  and  is  but  eight  miles  distant,  so  that  there  were 
pedestrians  who  actually  did  pass  to  it  in  early  morning.  A 
tavern  within  three  miles  of  Lynnfield  Common  used  to  furnish 
accommodations  for  ninety  head  of  cattle. 

Lynnfield,  it  will  be  remembered,  is  in  the  midst  of  a  circle 
of  large  towns  and  cities. 

Boston  is  12^  miles  from  the  church  in  Lynnfield  Centre 
to  the  State  House,  with  the  addition  of  20  rods  5.54  links. 
Lynn  is  the  same    distance  as  Salem.     Peabody,  Wakefield, 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    INIASS.  1 43 

Stoneham,  Maiden,  Melrose,  and  several  other  neighboring 
towns  furnish  markets  for  many  things.  Great  quantities  of 
milk  are  daily  carried  from  this  town,  and  an  incredible  amount 
of  eggs,  as  almost  every  family  keeps  from  half  a  dozen  to  as 
many  hundred  fowls.  In  strawberries  Lynnfield  is  not  behind, 
and  bushels  of  the  tempting  fruit  find  their  way  to  market,  while 
years  before  the  *'  oldest  inhabitant  "  cm  remember  the  black- 
berries, blueberries,  cherries,  huckleberries,  gooseberries,  have 
helped  out  the  income  of  many  a  family,  and  more  than  one 
young  woman  has  greatly  enriched  her  wedding  outfit  from 
these  productions  of  the  soil. 

In  the  winter  the  hilltops,  and  the  swamps  as  well,  resound 
with  the  axe  of  the  woodman,  as  he  fells  the  trees  for  timber 
or  for  fuel,  although  Lynnfield  cannot  boast  such  huge  trees  as 
many  years  ago.  Her  meadows  produce  large  crops  of  hay, 
cranberries,  etc. 

The  peat  meadows  were  years  ago  the  source  of  much 
industry,  profit,  and  comfort,  but  since  the  almost  univer- 
sal use  of  coal,  peat  is  in  the  category  of  things  that  were.  A 
set  of  tools  such  as  were  used  to  get  the  article  above  men- 
tioned fitted  for  use  would  now  be  a  great  curiosity,  and 
certainly  would  be  a  relic  of  bygone  days. 

Until  within  a  few  years  many  of  the  sons  followed  the  sea, 
and  blessings  were  asked  for  them  on  Sabbath  mornings  in  the 
meeting-house  without  exception,  while  Capt.  So-and-so  and 
other  persons  who  had  been  salted  were  well-known  former 
neighbors. 

Her  quarries  have  been  a  source  of  wealth,  and  there  is 
perhaps  no  town  around  but  has  samples  of  Lynnfield  granite 
in  its  building  walls,  and  perhaps  its  tombs. 

Lynnfield  has  always,  as  far  as  we  can  learn,  abounded  in 
school  teachers,  and  a  list  of  the  school  teachers  from  other 
places  who  have  married  members  of  the  school  committees 
here  would  be  a  surprise  to  many,  as  this  has  been  going  on 
further  back  than  the  records  can  take  us. 


144 


HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 


A  sash  and  blind  factory  stood  on  the  Saugus  River  at  the 
southwest  part  of  the  town,  owned  by  the  Hawkes  family, 
which  was  burned,  and  has  never  been  rebuilt. 

SHOE    SHOPS. 

Lynnfield  used  to  be  a  shoe  town,  at  least  it  had  several 
manufacturers  and  a  bountiful  number  of  shoemaker  shops. 
The  latter,  which  used  to  belong  to  nearly  every  dwelling,  have 
been  changed  into  all  manner  of  uses,  some  of  them  for  hen- 
houses, till  but  very  few  are  left  in  their  original   form. 


^;^i!?S5i^..,>..l'21A«V4^S';^£^^P^ 


T.et  us  look  upon  one  of  forty  or  fifty  years  ago.  It  is 
about  fifteen  feet  square,  with  a  window  on  every  side.  Many 
of  them  were  tastily  gotten  up.  The  inside  walls  were 
papered,  sometimes  with  many  kinds  of  wall  paper,  and  some- 
times with  pictures  from  illustrated  newspapers,  where  children 
could  study  all  kinds  of  models. 

In  the  summer,  green  birch  limbs  were  placed  against  the 
windows,  that  their  grateful  shade  might  be  enjoyed  by  the 
inmates  within.     All  day  long  the  music  of  the  hammer  might 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 45 

be  heard  at  intervals,  and  oftentimes  vocal  and  instrumental 
music  pealed  forth  from  its  windows,  with  ever  and  anon  the 
merry  whistle  of  the  workman,  and  after  the  "  stint  "  was 
done  no  one  was  surprised  to  hear  the  bugle,  clarionet,  violin, 
or  even  bass-viol. 

Many  of  these  shops  contained  a  number  of  persons, 
sometimes  a  grandfather,  father,  and  son,  all  at  work  at  once, 
and  ofttimes  some  of  the  women  of  the  household  had  a  win- 
dow with  their  tables  having  upon4:hem  shoe  basket  and  perhaps 
plants,  or  a  pitcher  of  flowers ;  for  we  can  remember  the  time 
when  it  was  said  there  were  but  two  ladies  in  town  who  did 
not  bind  shoes,  and  sad  were  many  hearts  when  their  occupation 
was  gone,  or  they  were  reduced  to  such  small  pay  by  the  intro- 
duction of  machinery  that  the  work  was  no  longer  profitable. 
Many  a  fine  lady  as  the  town  could  boast  might  be  seen 
entering  her  neighbor's  house  with  her  basket  in  hand,  or  a  roll 
of  shoes  to  bind  safely  stowed  away  in  her  pocket.  The  ladies' 
circle  used  to  earn  many  a  dollar  for  their  benevolent  pur- 
poses by  binding  shoes,  and  "  Hannah  Binding  Shoes  "  was 
not  confined  to  Lucy  Larcom's  poem. 

We  can  point  to  sons  of  this  town  worth  their  thousands,  to 
those  filling  fine  positions,  who  earned  their  first  money  making 
shoes  in  these  same  shops,  and  sometimes  they  would  work 
in  the  room  with  the  family,  but  this  was  not  so  comfortable, 
especially  after  the  advent  of  stoves.  We  think  the  people 
were  better  off  for  work  than  at  the  present,  when  the  work- 
men hie  to  the  shoe  factories,  although  there  are  three  of  them 
at  the  south  part  of  the  town  that  employ  more  than  one 
hundred  hands.  Two  of  these  factories,  Clarence  E.  Moulton's 
and  Henry  Law's,  are  shown  in  this  work,  and  are  a  great 
addition  to  the  industries  of  the  town.  Now  and  then  one  of 
the  old  shops  lingers,  but  they  are  nearly  all  gone,  and  a  single 
workman  in  one  of  them  is  a  rare  sight.  One  is  much  more 
liable  to  see  them  used   for  hen-houses,  sheds,  or  back  rooms. 


146  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

The  following  lines  were  written  as  an  advertisement  for  a 
shoe  manufacturer  :  — 

When  barefoot  man  the  earth  first  trod, 

He  sighed  and  sought  a  softer  sod; 

For  rock  and  stub  to  hobble  o'er, 

Disturbed  his  sole  and  vexed  him  sore. 

"  But  yet,"  he  said,  "  'tis  all  in  vain, 

I  cannot  carpet  hill  and  plain." 

Then  to  his  side  his  genius  flew. 

And  softly  whispered  him  the  clew. 

The  shadows  lift,  and  all  is  clear. 

The  globe  he'll  carpet,  never  fear, 

And  myriad  feet  shall  nail  it  down 

In  every  street  of  every  town. 

For  to  the  shod  whate'er  the  weather 

The  world  is  carpeted  with  leather, 

Sabot  and  sandal,  slipper,  shoe, 

And  boots  of  many  a  style  and  hue. 

The  long  procession  see  it  wend 

Along  the  centuries  without  end, 

From  clattering  clogs  for  uses  base 

To  forms  of  beauty,  forms  of  grace, 

Where  strength  and  art  the  prize  shall  win. 

Would  you  learn  where?     Inquire  within. 

E.  Parsons. 

For  many  years  the  care  of  horses  in  this  town  —  pasturing 
them,  and  breaking  colts  —  has  been  carried  on.  It  used  to  be 
done  on  the  Wilkes  Farm  by  the  Barnjum  Bros.  A  picture 
of  the  Bray  establishment  before  us  will  show  one  of  these 
latest  comfortable  "  homes  for  horses."  There  are  others 
who  board  horses  in  the  different  parts  ot  the  town. 

Lynn  End  used  to  be  famous  for  its  cider,  and  many  of  its 
citizens  would  use  a  couple  of  barrels  in  a  year.  The  cider 
mills  used  to  be  run  by  horses. 

It  has  now  the  largest  cider  mill  in  this  part  of  the  country. 
A  part  of  it  is  the  old  woolen  manufactory  of  other  days,  with 
many  additions  thereto.     It  is  owned  by  Elbridge  F.  Gerry, 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  147 

where  business  is  done  on  a  large  scale,  and  much  cider  goes 
through  a  process  of  refining,  when  it  is  called  refined  cider. 
Many  buildings  and  much  machinery  are  used,  and  large  quan- 
tities of  apples  are  brought  from  other  States. 

At  times  the  mill  is  run  day  and  night,  employing  a  dozen 
or  more  persons  at  work  with  much  machinery.  The  apples 
are  brought  by  the  car-load  and  sand  for  filtering  the  cider 
by  the  wagon-load  from  Andover,  while  the  cars  come  from 
as  far  back  as  New  Hampshire  and  even  Maine.  The  mill  is 
provided  with  storehouses  and  apparatus  for  doing  the  labo- 
rious part  of  the  work  with  ease,  and  is  perhaps  the  largest  in 
this  section.  Just  previous  to  its  being  used  as  a  cider  mill, 
it  was  used  to  grind  barberry  roots  and  to  make  lobster  nets  in. 

AGED    PEOPLE. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Wiley,  the  mother  of  thirteen  children,  widow 
of  Willard  Wiley,  will  be  eighty-four  in  March,  and  her  brother, 
Elbridge  G.  Russell,  will  be  eighty-two  next  July. 

In  1872  there  were  eleven  deaths  in  town,  and  among 
them  were  the  following  ages  :   75,  79,  65,  86,  82. 

In  1877  there  were  nine  deaths,  and  the  ages  were  in  part 
70,  90,  76,  70 ;  and  the  year  before,  1876,  ages  70,  92,  78,  78, 
out  of  twelve  deaths. 

The  funerals  of  Mrs.  Daniel  Mansfield,  aged  81  years,  and 
Mr.  Joseph  Brown,  aged  92  years,  were  held  at  the  same  hour, 
July  19,  1 89 1.     They  both  lived  in  the  same  part  of  the  town. 

Lynnfield  has  always  had  a  large  number  of  aged  people, 
and  in  searching  the  records  it  is  no  strange  thing  to  find  the 
ages  of  86,  88^  90,  to  98.  In  1886  Rev.  Jacob  Hood  and 
his  wife  died,  aged  94  and  90  years.  Not  many  years  ago  a 
man  who  was  born  in  Lynnfield  died  aged  102,  and  a  few 
years  before  a  man  and  his  wife  were  living  together  in  a 
neighboring  town  who  were  up  in  the  nineties. 

In   this   work   is   a   splendid    likeness   of    Mrs.    Clarissa 


14^  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

(Emerson)  Cox,  taken  when  she  was  a  hundred  years  old. 
Mrs.  Cox  was  born  in  Wakefield  and  died  there,  but  she 
lived  in  this  town  about  seventy  years ;  most  of  her  children 
were  born  here  ;  her  husband,  father,  mother,  sister,  brother 
died  here,  and  she  has  a  son  still  living  with  his  son  and 
grandson  on  the  original  place,  and  they  are  worthy  of  their 
ancestor.  Among  the  old  people  of  the  place  is  Mrs.  Cath- 
erine Sweetser  Perkins,  who  is  87  years  of  age  (1895). 

The  oldest  man  in  town  is  Dea.  William  Smith,  who  will 
be  86  years  in  May,  1895.  His  brother-in-law,  John  Bryant,  is 
85  ;  and  his  brother,  Jonathan  Bryant,  has  just  (1895)  cele- 
brated his  eightieth  birthday. 

Among  the  women  of  note  who  have  gone  forth  from  this 
good  old  town  may  be  specially  mentioned  Mrs.  E.  Florence 
Barker,  wife  of  Col.  Thomas  E.  Barker,  formerly  of  the  12  th 
New  Hampshire  Regiment,  whose  beautiful  home  is  in  Mai- 
den, Mass.,  where  she  has  reared  a  son  and  two  daughters. 
Mrs.  Barker  was  born  in  Lynnfield,  March  29,  1840,  and  was 
the  second  daughter  of  William  A.  and  Mary  J.  Whittredge. 
The  old  huge  garrison  house  where  her  father  was  born  is  still 
standing  and  occupied,  and  her  mother  was  descended  from 
Revolutionary  stock.  She  was  reared  where  are  as  noble,  true 
lovers  of  their  country  as  can  be  found.  In  sight  of  the 
home  where  she  was  born  and  bred  sleep  a  number  of  the 
heroes  of  1775,  and  the  pretty  church  where  she  was  married 
at  a  double  wedding  in  war  time,  June  18,  1863,  is  not  far 
away.  She  was  first  president  of  the  Woman's  Relief  Corps, 
and  filled  the  office  with  great  faithfulness  and  honor,  having 
been  unanimously  elected.  She  has  been  very  active  for  the 
Soldiers'  Home  at  Chelsea,  of  which  her  husband  is  trustee. 
Mrs.  Barker  is  also  a  vice-president  of  the  Ladies'  Aid  Asso- 
ciation, which  has  a  membership  of  more  than  a  thousand 
members,  and  has  represented  both  organizations  at  Washing- 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 49 

ton  and  Minneapolis  in  a  most  creditable  way.  She  is  also 
one  of  the  number  of  the  Women's  Club-House  Association, 
who  are  preparing  to  build  a  club-house  in  Boston,  beside 
being  ever  ready  to  help  in  many  other  good  works.  She  is 
known  by  a  very  large  circle  of  friends  and  co-laborers,  and  the 
Maiden  Hospital  is  fortunate  to  have  her  as  one  of  their  ex- 
ecutive committee,  as  well  as  one  of  their  trustees.  She 
has  a  sister  younger  than  herself,  Miss  Alfrena  J.  Whittredge, 
who  is  a  matron  of  the  Soldiers'  Home  at  Togus,  Me. 

GEORGE    T.  ANGELL. 

Another  of  our  former  citizens,  who  has  attained  world-wide 
fame,  and  whom  we  still  claim,  is  George  Thorndike  Angell, 
the  dumb  beasts'  friend  and  mouthpiece ;  for  eighteen  years 
he  made  his  home  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Summer  Streets, 
nearly  opposite  the  old  meeting-house,  and  came  here  with  his 
bride  from  Boston  at  the  time  of  their  marriage. 

Mr.  Angell  was  born  at  Southbridge,  Worcester  County,  in 
this  State,  June  25,  1823.  His  father,  of  the  same  name,  was 
pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Southbridge,  where  he  died,  leav- 
ing him  his  only  child.  His  mother  was  Rebekah  Thorndike 
of  Tewksbury,  Mass.,  of  whom  he  says,  "  No  man  ever  had  a 
better  mother."  He  graduated  at  Brown  University,  Provi- 
dence, R.  1.,  July  30,  1846;  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  Dec.  17, 
1 85 1.  He  has  published  his  autobiography,  which  is  full  of 
interest.  Mr.  Angell  has  been  a  teacher,  a  lawyer,  an  editor,  a 
traveller  in  distant  places  almost  without  number,  an  or- 
ganizer of  Bands  of  Mercy.  He  has  been  for  more  than  twenty- 
five  years  elected  unanimously  president  of  the  Massachusetts 
Society  for  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to  Animals,  chairman 
of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  American  Humane 
Association,  director  of  the  American  Social  Science  Associa- 
tion. His  writings  have  been  translated  into  many  other 
languages,  beside    having  an  immense  sale   in    this  country. 


150  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

and  he  is  also  an  honorary  member  of  many  European 
societies.  He  is  still  very  active,  contributing  much  time 
and  money  to  the  cause  for  which  his  life  and  talents  are 
given,  and  certainly  must  be  reckoned  with  the  reformers  of 
the  world. 

As  Rev.  Harry  Brickett,  father  of  Rev.  H.  L.  Brickett, 
took  such  an  interest  in  the  town,  was  so  well  known  and 
preached  here  so  often,  we  append  the  following  sketch  of 
him  by  his  son  :  — 

"Rev.  Harry   Brickett  of  Hooksett,  N.  H.,  died  Thursday 
evening,  Dec.  17,  i89i,at  eight  o'clock,  from  a  severe  attack 
oi  la  grippe.     Mr.   Brickett  was  born  in  Newbury,  Vt.,  Feb. 
I,    1 81 8.     He   was  a    farmer's  son,   and    early  developed  a 
fondness  for  study.     He  fitted  for  college  at  the  academies  in 
Bradford,  Vt.,   and   Haverhill  Corner,  N.   H.      He    entered 
Dartmouth  College  in  1836,  when  eighteen  years  of  age.     He 
was  one   of  the  '  Honor  '  men  of  his  class,  graduating  in  1840. 
After  graduation  he  taught  the   Melville   Academy  in  Jaffrey, 
N.  H.,  two  years.    Here  he  taught  her  who  afterwards  became 
his  wife.  Miss  Eliza  Cutter  of  Jaffrey.     While  teaching  in  Jaf- 
frey, Mr.  Brickett  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Luke  Howe  during 
his  leisure  hours.     In   1842    he   attended  medical  lectures  at 
Hanover  and  also  studied  with  the  faculty  two  years,  teaching 
during  the  winters  the   village   school   in   Fitzwilliam,  N.  H. 
In  the  spring  of   1844  Mr.  Brickett  took   charge  of  the  Fran- 
cestown  Academy  for  one  term,  to  finish  the  engagement  of 
Rev.  Horace   Herrick.     He  was  so  successful   and  popular  as 
a  teacher  that  he  was  retained  as  principal  seven  full  years.    In 
June,  1 85 1,   Mr.  Brickett   accepted    the  principalship  of  the 
Brown   Latin  School  in  Newburyport,   Mass.,  which  he  held 
two  years.    Then  he  was  called  again  to  Hillsborough  County, 
N.  H.,  to  take  charge  of  the  Merrimack   Normal  Institute  at 
Reed's  Ferry.      While  in  that   position   he  was  licensed    to 
preach  by  the  Manchester  Association  of  Congregational  and 


GEN.     JOSIAH    NE"WHALL. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  151 

Presbyterian  Ministers.  Mr.  Brickett  remained  in  the  school 
at  Reed's  Ferry  four  years,  preaching  also  a  considerable  part 
of  the  time  at  Nashua,  Merrimack,  and  Londonderry.  He 
received  a  call  to  settle  in  the  ministry,  from  the  Congrega- 
tional Church  in  Hillsborough  Bridge,  N.  H.,  which  he  ac- 
cepted in  the  spring  of  1857,  and  removed  there  with  his 
family.  He  continued  as  pastor  for  eight  years,  when  he  re- 
signed to  accept  a  call  to  a  city  parish  in  Geneseo,  Henry 
County,  111.  Here  he  continued  as  pastor  seven  years, 
from  1865  to  1872.  In  1872  he  accepted  a  call  to  East  Lake 
George,  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  four  years,  until  1876,  when 
he  received  a  second  call  to  Hillsborough  Bridge,  his  first  par- 
ish. He  returned  to  his  former  charge  at  Hillsborough  Bridge 
and  faithfully  labored  six  years,  from  1876  to  1882.  In  1882 
he  was  called  to  the  large  church  in  Thetford,  Vt.,  formerly 
under  the  charge  of  the  celebrated  Dr.  Burton ;  and  here  Mr. 
Brickett  preached  eight  years,  from  1882  to  1890,  when  he 
bought  a  home  and  retired  to  live  in  it  at  Hooksett,  N.  H. 
Mr.  Brickett  was  employed  at  intervals  of  time,  ninety- five 
weeks  as  lecturer  and  instructor  in  teachers'  institutes  in  New 
Hampshire  and  Maine.  While  at  Francestown,  Aug.  18, 
1846,  Mr.  Brickett  married  Miss  Ehza  Cutter  of  Jaffrey,  N.  H., 
who  survives  him,  with  three  of  their  five  children,  —  Mrs. 
Ellen  J.  Prescott  of  Hooksett,  N.  H.,  Rev.  Harry  L.  Brickett 
of  Lynnfield  Centre,  Mass.,  and  Mrs.  Mary  I.  Wilmot  of 
Thetford,  Vt.  Mr.  Brickett  was  a  natural  poet,  and  wrote 
much  for  publication.  In  1886  he  wrote  a  poem  for  the  semi- 
centennial of  the  church  at  Geneseo,  111.,  and  went  West  and 
delivered  it.  This  was  published.  Many  of  his  sermons  and 
addresses  have  been  printed.  He  also  wrote  a  history  of 
Hillsborough,  N.H.,  which  was  published  in  1886.  Mr.  Brickett 
was  a  thorough  classical  scholar,  and  an  easy,  graceful  speaker. 
As  an  elocutionist  he  stood  at  the  very  head,  and  his  parish- 
ioners often  spoke   of  his  power  of  interpretation  in  reading 


152  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

hymns  and  the  Bible.  Mr.  Brickett's  personality  is  well  de- 
scribed in  the  following  tribute  from  a  Western  acquaintance 
of  his,  whose  letter  I  received  last  night :  '  I  am  very  thank- 
ful that  I  ever  knew  your  father,  for  he  has  left  the  sweet  im- 
pression of  his  great  kind  heart  upon  me.  There  are  very 
few  men  I  knew  so  little,  I  loved  so  well.'  Such  is  the  sweet 
memory  of  the  man.  His  last  sickness  was  a  painless  one  ; 
he  gradually  weakened  under  disease,  until  he  sweetly  fell 
asleep  in  death.  He  retained  all  his  faculties  to  the  very 
last.  Almost  the  last  words  that  he  spoke  to  his  son  were, 
*  Let  me  arise,  with  joy,  to  meet  the  Lord.'  His  funeral  was 
held  on  Sunday  p.  m.,  Dec.  20,  at  two  o'clock,  in  the  Congre- 
gational church  at  Hooksett,  of  which  he  was  a  member, 
Rev.  Mr.  Coult,  pastor  of  the  church,  and  Rev.  Moses  Patten 
of  Hooksett,  officiating.  Tender  and  fitting  tributes  were 
paid  to  the  deceased  pastor,  and  he  was  quietly  laid  to  rest  in 
the  cemetery  at  Hooksett,  with  the  setting  sun. 

"Rev.  harry  L.  BRICKETT. 
♦'  Lynnfield  Centre,  Mass.,  Dec.  29,  1891." 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 53 


CHAPTER   X. 
The  Second  War  with  Great  Britain. 

Lynnfield  had,  as  we  have  seen,  a  highly  honorable  record 
in  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  as  we  shall  see,  in  the  war  of 
the  Rebellion ;  if  her  sons  seem  to  have  won  fewer  laurels  in 
what  is  commonly  known  as  "the  1812  War,"  it  was  because 
they  so  largely  shared  in  the  strong  disapproval  of  that  war  felt 
throughout  this  section. 

Martin  Hart  was  an  enlisted  soldier,  and  served  at  Fort 
Warren.     In  later  years  he  received  a  pension. 

There  was  also  a  company  of  minutemen,  ready  to  go  to 
the  defence  of  their  homes  at  a  moment's  notice. 

One  of  the  oldest  inhabitants  remembers  seeing  a  company 
of  soldiers  march  past  the  house  now  owned  by  Mr.  Benjamin 
Bryant,  and  go  down  into  the  adjacent  field  to  drill.  A 
daughter  of  Bowman  Viles,  Esq.,  has  heard  the  older  members 
of  her  family  speak  of  a  time  when  her  and  their  father  came 
on  his  big  black  horse  to  bid  the  family  good  by  before  join- 
ing the  company  that  had  received  the  signal  to  go  to  their 
country's  defence. 

Besides  "  Squire  Viles,"  as  he  was  called  in  his  later  years, 
the  names  of  several  others  are  recalled  by  one  of  the  daugh- 
ters of  a  minuteman.  They  were  ordered  to  march  to  Salem, 
an  alarm  of  the  enemy's  approach  having  arisen,  which,  how- 
ever, proved  a  false  one. 

Among  those  who  went  were  Josiah  Newhall,  afterwards 
known    as    Gen.  Newhall,   Moses  Richardson,  John    Perkins, 


154  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

John  Nichols,  Jacob  Wiley,  Benjamin  Cox,  and  George  Pearson. 
Samuel  Skinner  was  captain  of  the  company. 

Capt.  Henry  Bancroft  went  on  one  cruise  as  second  lieu- 
tenant of  a  privateer. 

The  Mexican  War  roused  little  interest  in  Lynnfield. 
George  Washington  Wellman,  son  of  Bartholomew  and  Sarah 
(Derby)  Wellman,  went  as  an  enlisted  soldier  to  this  war,  and 
died  in  the  city  of  Mexico,  Feb.  25,  1848,  aged  ;^^. 

OLD    COMMON    LANDS    IN    OR    NEAR    LYNNFIELD. 

It  does  not  now  seem  possible  to  fix  the  exact  limits  of 
what  was  known  as  Lynn  Common  in  1653,  nor  of  the  Great 
Common  laid  out  in  1706.  The  excerpts  which  follow  seem 
to  show  conclusively  that  they  extended  to  a  region  near  what 
is  now  known  as  Filling's  Pond,  which  is  merely  an  overflowed 
meadow  and  a  brook. 

The  meadow,  or  at  least  a  part  of  it,  was  and  is  to-day 
known  as  Stone's  Meadow,  and  the  brook  as  Bates'  Brook.  In 
the  old  deeds  the  spelling  varied,  but  the  localities  are  pointed 
out  as  unerringly  as  if  Worcester's  unabridged  were  at  hand. 

The  following  copies  of  deeds  written  in  1653  ^^^  ^^i  the 
possession  of  Mr.  George  E.  Herrick,  who  lives  near  the  land 
supposed  to  be  meant. 

Extract  from  a  copy  of  a  deed  of  Nicholas  Potter  to  Thomas 
Wellman  and  John  Knight,  made  the  seventeenth  day  of  the 
twelfth  month,  1653  :  — 

"  Give,  grant,  &c  unto  the  said  Thomas  Wellman  and  John  Knight  — 
two  three  score  acre  Lotts  joining  together,  one  of  them  lately  in  ye 
Tenour  of  ye  said  Nicholas  Potter  and  ye  other  in  ye  late  Tenour  of  James 
Boutwell  bounded  southerly  with  ye  farme  of  Goodman  Talmage  &  three 
acres  of  marsh  lately  belonging  to  ye  aforesaid  Nicholas  Potter  &  Easterly 
with  ye  common  Westerly  with  ye  River  that  cometh  out  of  Stones 
meadow  and  northerly  with  the  Land  of  the  said  Thomas  Wellman   & 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  155 

John  Knight  and  also  three  acres  of  meadow  lately  in  the  Tenour  of  ye  said 
Nicholas  Potter  adjoining  to  ye  aforesaid  purchased  Land  on  the  south," 
etc. 

From  the  old  records  of  the  city  of  Lynn  we  excerpt  the 
following,  which  relates  to  the  dividing  of  certain  unoccupied 
lands  belonging  to  the  then  township  of  Lynn  :  — 

"...  except, the  training  field  and  the  several  highways  shall  he  divided 
to  and  among  all  the  proprietors  and  inhabitants  that  have  land  in  the 
town  of  their  own  in  fee  (within  fence)   ..." 

A  committee  chosen  April  15,  1706,  consisted  of  three  men, 
"which  three  men  are  to  be  all  inhabitants  of  some  other 
town  or  towns,"  to  do  the  necessary  work  of  division.  They 
were  Capt.  Samuel  Gardner  of  S  ilem,  Mr.  John  Greenland 
of  Maiden,  Lieut.  Joseph  Hacey  of  Rumney  Marsh  (Chelsea). 

We  quote  again  from  the  record  :  — 

"The  first  division  beginning  upon  that  parcel  of  land  lying  on  the  west 
side  of  Saugus  River  lying  betwixt  the  Hitchinses'  farm  and  Timothy 
Wiley's  farm,  called  the  six  hundred  acres,  the  Lots  running  forty  poles  in 
length,  each  person's  lot  butting  on  the  Range  lines  except  where  they 
butt  upon  propriaty,  the  first  Lot  beginning  on  the  East  side  near  John 
Chilson's  house." 

Abraham  Wellman  had  the  first  lot ;  Ebenezer  Bancroft 
had  the  second  lot ;  Ebenezer  Hawks  had  the  third  lot. 
Hitchings's  farm  was  in  Saugus,  and  Timothy  Wiley's  in 
Wakefield. 

The  "range  lines,"  so  often  found  in  the  old  deeds,  are  to 
be  explained  by  the  fact  that  the  land  in  this  as  in  many, 
perhaps  most,  cases,  when  left  unoccupied  for  any  length  of 
time,  was  divided  into  "ranges,"  or  sections,  bounded  by 
parallel  lines  called  range  lines.  In  this  case  they  were  forty 
rods  wide. 

From  a  deed  of  Samuel  Parker  to  Ebenezer  Bancroft, 
1707  :  — 


156  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

"A  Peece  or  Parsel  of  Land  cituate  In  the  towne-ship  of  Lynn  and 
lyin  by  a  place  called  Duck  pond  It  being  by  Estemation  four  acres  Be  it 
so  much  more  or  Less :  it  being  my  fourth  lot  that  was  layd  out  to  me  sd 
Parker  in  sd  Lynn  Comon  when  it  was  layd  out  in  the  year  1706  as  on 
Record  in  sd  Lynn  towne  Book  May  more  at  large  apear  :  as  said  fourth 
lot  is  buted  and  bounded  viz. :  Easterly  l:)y  the  land  of  will'm  Eatton  west- 
wardly  by  the  land  of  said  Ebenzer  Bancroft :  Northerly  and  Sotherly  by 
the  Range  lines." 

From  a  deed  of  John  Bancroft  to  Ebenezer  Bancroft, 
I  710  :  — 

"  a  peass  or  parsell  of  upland  and  medow  cituate  in  ye  township  of 
lyn  aboue  said  and  lying  near  to  Robart  Beats  Brook  it  being  by  Estema- 
tion one  Acres  and  thirty  Eaight  pols  as  it  is  Buted  and  bounded  northerly 
by  ye  rever  that  runs  beween  Mr.  Shapl^ard  medow  and  this  aboue  said 
land  and  medow  Easterly  by  ye  land  and  medow  of  the  above  said 
Ebenezer  Bancroft  Southerly  by  ye  hy  way  that  gos  from  Beatses  Brook 
above  said  to  Lyntown." 

Extract  from  a  deed  of  Samuel  Parker  to  Ebenezer  Ban 
croft,  1 7 1 1  :  — 

"  One  small  parcell  of  Land  ...  as  it  is  laid  out  to  me  and  Entered 
in  Lyn  Town  Book  of  Records  and  it  is  sittuate  in  ye  Township  of  Lyn  in 
ye  Common  called  the  Great  Common  and  it  is  butted  and  bounded  as 
foUoweth  (being  his  first  Lott)  Westerly  upon  Abraham  Wellman  his 
farme,  Southerly  upon  the  Range  line,  Easterly  Abraham  Wellman  his 
Lott,  Northerly  upon  the  Lott  of  ye  suckcessers  of  Nathanaell  Newhall." 

Extract  from  a  deed  given  by  Abraham  Wellman,  Jr.,  to 
Ebenezer  Bancroft  in  1 7 1 1  :  — 

"  One  small  piece  of  land  containing  by  Estimation  sixteen  pools 
[poles]  be  it  more  or  be  it  less :  and  it  is  sittuat  in  the  township  of  Lyn 
being  the  Northwardly  Corner  of  the  homested  of  the  sd  Al)raham  Welman 
and  it  is  bounded  Southwardly  l^y  the  Remaining  land  of  the  sd  Abraham 
Welman  :  and  at  the  Eastwardly  Corner  by  a  stake  and  heap  of  stones 
and  from  thence  to  an  ould  black  oake  stomp  and  as  the  fence  now  stands 
down  to  the  midle  of  the  brook  called  Bates  his  brook,  the  above  men- 
tioned sixteen  poles  of  Land  lieth  betwin  the  sd  brook  and  the  Land  of 
the  sd  Ebenezer  Bancroft,  and  is  a  conveniancy  for  his  catel  to  go  to  the 
brook." 


o 
a 

b 

w 

o 

re 
IS 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 57 


lynnfield's  scholars. 


Eager  for  the  fair  repute  of  our  little  town,  believing  that 
this  is  advanced  by  the  higher  education  as  well  as  by  the 
distinguished  activity  in  the  world's  work  of  its  inhabitants, 
or  of  those  nearly  related  to  them,  we  have  endeavored,  so 
far  as  we  could  learn  the  facts,  to  make  a  record  of  all  such 
as  have  been  born  here,  also  such  as  have  become  connected 
with  them  by  marriage. 

The  list  includes  here  and  there  one  born  elsewhere,  but 
resident  among  us  for  a  reasonable  length  of  time.  Such 
cases  where  known  will  be  noted,  otherwise  the  birthplace  is 
Lynnfield. 

Dr.  John  Perkins,  b.  March  9,,  1698  ;  was  grad.  Harvard; 
visited  England;  died  Jan.  23,  1781. 

Edward  Perkins  Sparhawk,  son  of  the  first  minister  of  the 
Second  Church  of  Lynn,  b.  July  10,  1728;  was  grad.  Har- 
vard, 1753  ;  m.  Mehitabel  Putnam  ;  d.  March  8,  1796.  It  is 
probable  that  his  brother  John,  who  became  an  eminent 
physician  in  Philadelphia,  was  also  a  graduate  of  Harvard. 

A  book  of  rules  found  in  Lynnfield  for  Harvard  students 
has  this  entry  :  — 

"  Cantabrigiae  lomo  Calendas  January  1754  Gulielmus  Perkins  admitta- 
tur  in  Collegium  Harvardinium. 

Edwardus  Holyoke  Praeses. 

Belcher  Hancock    ] 

Joseph  us  May  hew    ',  c    , 

Thus  Marsh  i 

[Name  missing]       J 

flic  Labor  Opus  Est." 
[Note.     This  quotation  is  from  the  ^neid.     When  the  Sibyl  says  to  /Eneas,  "  The 
descent  to  Avernus  is  easy,  but  to  retrace  your  step  and  pass  to   the  upper  air,  this  is 
the  i"ork,  this  the  task,"  the  last  seven  words  translate  what  has  come  to  be  a  com- 
mon proverb,  Hoc  opus,  hie  labor  est.\ 

This  William  Perkins,  admitted  in  1754,  corresponds  with 
one  who  was  grad.  1758,  and  d.  1765. 


158  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

The  names  of  the  five  given  below  are  supposed  to  have 
been  collegiates  :  — 

Dr.  Benjamin  Adams,  b.  Sept.  7,  1758;  m.  Lois  Orne ;  d. 
Jan.  16,  181 1.  He  was  son  of  Rev.  Benjamin  Adams,  third 
minister  of  the  Second  Church. 

Dr.  John  Aborn,  m.  Rebecca  Bancroft;  d.  Nov.  8,  1768. 

James  Johnson;  Rev.  EHas  Upton,  b.  1496;  Thomas 
Bancroft. 

Rev.  James  Welhiian,  D.  D.,  b.  in  the  Wellman  house  that 
stood  near  what  is  now  PilHng's  Pond,  May  10,  1728.  Fitted 
for  college  with  his  pastor,  Rev.  Stephen  Chase ;  was  grad. 
Harvard,  1744,  when  sixteen  years  old;  was  ordained  over 
the  Congregational  Church  at  Sutton,  Mass.,  Oct.  7,  1747; 
afterwards  became  the  first  pastor  at  Cornish,  Sept.  29,  1769  ; 
d.  Dec.  18,  1808. 

Benjamin  Perkins,  who  died  Nov.  17,  1809,  is  said  to  have 
been  a  graduate  of  Harvard.  Mr.  Benjamin  Perkins,  b.  18 14, 
has  in  his  possession  certain  silver  tokens  or  emblems,  indica- 
tive of  his  uncle's  membership  in  the  famous  Hasty  Pudding 
Club  of  that  university. 

Hon.  Thomas  B.  Newhall,  b.  Nov.  2,  181 1;  fitted  for 
college  at  Andover  and  Lynn  Academies ;  was  grad.  Brown 
University. 

He  had  a  brother  James  who  was  a  physician  in  Lynn. 
Both  were  sons  of  Hon.  Asa  T.  and  Judith  (Little)  Newhall. 

Rev.  Daniel  Mansfield,  son  of  Andrew  and  Eunice  Mans- 
field, b.  Aug.  24,  1807  ;  was  grad.  Amherst,  1833  ;  m.  Hannah 
F.,  dau.  Ezra  and  Hannah  A.  Holt  of  Andover;  was  settled 
atWenham,  Mass.,  July  26,  1837  ;  died  and  was  buried  there. 

Edward  Augustus,  son  of  Edward  and  Betsey  (Davis) 
Upton,  was  born  in  Danvers  (now  Peabody),  1829.  Re- 
moved to  Lynnfield  with  his  parents,  1833,  and  lived  here 
nearly  twenty  years.  Fitted  for  college  at  Gilmanton  Academy, 
Gilmanton,    N.  H. ;  entered   Dartmouth  College,  185 1  ;  was 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 59 

grad.  1854  ;  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  now  a  lawyer  in  Bos- 
ton; m.  Susan  Matilda  Simpson,  of  Waterville  Me.,  1861  ;  m. 
a  second  time,  December,  1873,  Clarinda,  dau.  of  Jacob  Grigg, 
M.  D.,  of  Pemberton,  N.  J. 

Henry  Mottey,  son  of  Rev.  Henry  S.  and  Mary  E.  Green, 
entered  Amherst,  class  of  1865  ;  d.  Jan.  9,  1867. 

Joshua  Gilman  Hawkes,  son  of  Joshua  and  Abigail  (Ban- 
croft) Hawkes,  b.  Aug.  18,  1831  ;  prepared  for  college  at 
Thetford,  Vt. ;  was  grad.  Amherst,  1859;  made  principal 
of  Conway  Academy;  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  52d  Regiment 
Massachusetts  Volunteers,  and  was  in  the  Department  of  the 
Gulf  under  Gen.  Banks;  was  sergeant  in  Co.  D,  and  was 
asked  to  be  captain  in  a  colored  regiment ;  sailed  from  Port 
Hudson  up  the  Mississippi  River,  July  23,  1863. 

We  are  glad  to  avail  ourselves  of  a  beautiful  tribute  to  him 
in  the  "  Color-Guard,"  a  book  written  by  a  member  of  his 
company.  Rev.  J.  K.  Hosmer.  In  this  story  he  is  called 
"  Grosvenor  "  :  '*  Grosvenor,  indeed,  my  good  friend,  a  high- 
minded  patriot,  whose  great  spirit  had  carried  his  feeble  body 
through  all  our  exposures,  though  pale  and  haggard,  went 
from  man  to  man  shaking  hands.  He  lay  down  at  night 
spreading  out  his  blankets  with  his  old  comrades.  In  the 
morning  his  couch  lay  as  he  had  spread  it,  but  he  was  gone, 
and  the  eyes  of  no  man  have  rested  upon  him  since. 

"  His  was  a  brave  and  knightly  so  il.  No  doubt  he  rose  in 
the  night,  too  exultant  perhaps  over  the  brighter  prospects  of 
our  great  cause,  and  over  the  thought  that  hardship  honorably 
borne  was  soon  to  be  over,  to  sleep. 

''  The  moon,  about  full,  floated  gloriously  before  him  in  the 
heavens,  among  the  summer  clouds,  as  the  '  Sangreal  with  its 
veils  of  white  samite  '  floated  before  x^rthur's  pure-souled 
knights.  A  misstep  with  his  weak  limbs,  and  he  fell  overboard 
into  the  flood.     So  our  good  friend  must  have  perished." 

Forrest  Fayette,  son  of  Dea.  Oliver  and  Eliza   (Weston) 


l6o  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

Emerson,  b.  May  i6,  1839;  fitted  for  college  at  Pierce 
Academy,  Middleboro,  Mass. ;  entered  Brown  University, 
1859  ;  wasgrad.  1863  ;  entered  Newton  Theological  Institution, 
fall  of  1863  ;  entered  Rochester  Theological  Seminary,  fall  of 
1864  ;  pastor  of  Baptist  Church,  Wellsville,  N.  Y.,  April,  1865  ; 
was  grad.  from  Rochester  Theological  Seminary,  1866; 
pastor  of  First  Baptist  Church,  Gloucester,  from  1868  to  1873  ; 
pastor  Asylum  Avenue  Baptist  Church,  Hartford,  Conn., 
1873-79;  pastor  of  First  Congregational  Church,  Amherst, 
1879-83  ;  pastor  of  United  Congregational  Church,  Newport, 
R.  I.,  1883-92  ;  acting  pastor  of  Union  Church,  Worcester, 
Nov.  I,  1893,  to  the  present  time,  1895  ;  received  the 
honorary  Phi  Beta  Kappa  while  in  Hartford  from  Brown 
University;  m.  Sarah  Maria  Hartwell,  June  29,  1864;  was 
sent  as  delegate  at  large  to  the  World's  Missionary  Confer- 
ence in  London,  England,  1888;  made  an  address,  not  as  a 
delegate  from  any  body,  but  in  response  to  an  invitation  from 
the  London  committee. 

Howard  Malcolm,  brother  of  the  above  mentioned,  was 
grad.  from  Brown  University,  1858  ;  was  settled  over  the  Bap- 
tist Church  in  Methuen,  i860  ;  m.  Annie  Parke  of  South  Ber- 
wick, Me.,  1861  ;  d.  South  Berwick,  May,  1862. 

Henry  Pendexter,  brother  of  the  above  named,  b.  Jan.  11, 
1846  ;  fitted  for  college  at  Phillips  Academy  ;  wasgrad.  1867  ; 
entered  Rochester  University,  N.  Y. ;  received  the  degree  of 
A.  B.,  187 1  ;  taught  three  years  in  State  Normal  School,  Po's- 
dam,  N.  Y. ;  was  teacher  of  Latin  and  Greek  in  Buff"alo  High 
School,  N.  Y.,  1874-83;  appointed  principal,  1883;  1892, 
elected  superintendent  of  the  public  schools  in  Buffalo.  In 
1894  there  were  registered  in  this  city  44,000  pupils.  The 
superintendent  has  a  salary  of  $5,000  a  year,  the  office  being 
one  of  great  responsibility.  Married  Mary  A.  Esty  of  Middle- 
ton,  Aug.  4,  1874. 

Rev.  Oliver  Emerson,   son  of  Dea.  Oliver  Emerson  and  a 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  l6l 

first  wife  whose  maiden  name  was  Brown,  was  grad.  at  Colby 
University,  Waterville,  Me.;  d.  1883.  Left  a  son  Oliver 
F.  (not  a  native  of  Lynnfield),  who  is  Professor  of  English 
Literature  in  Cornell  University,  Ithaca,  N.  Y.  Rev.  O.  Emer- 
son's work  in  the  West  was  that  of  a  home  missionary,  found- 
ing churches,  and  looking  after  several  small  congregations  at 
a  time. 

William  Bryant,  son  of  William  and  Sarah  (Bryant)  Smith, 
b.  July  29,  1 851;  fitted  for  college  at  Phillips  Academy; 
entered  Amherst,  1870;  left  becuuse  of  failing  health;  d. 
Oct.  4,  1883. 

Rosetta  Mary,  daughter  of  Luther  S.  and  Emily  L.  (Wiley) 
Munroe,  b.  March  22,  1868  ;  fitted  for  college  at  Peabody 
High  School;  entered  Boston  University,  1886;  was  grad. 
1890;  m.  Rev.  George  H.  Spencer,  of  the  same  class,  son  of 
a  Methodist  clergyman.  xAt  present  (1895)  located  at  Sum- 
mers worth,  N.  H. 

Lillia  Truell,  daughter  of  David  and  Sarah  (Truell)  Wilkins, 
b.  Jan.  23,  1869;  fitted  for  college  at  Wakefield  High 
School ;  entered  Boston  University,  1890  ;  left  after  two  years' 
study  there  to  teach  in  the  Advanced  Grammar  School,  Wake- 
field. 

Starr,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Mary  Alvina  (Dodge)  Parsons, 
b.  Sept.  4,  1869  ;  completed  the  six  years'  course  at  the  Bos- 
ton Latin  School  in  five  years,  winning  several  prizes,  besides 
a  Franklin  medal;  entered  Harvard,  1887,  was  grad.  magna 
cum  hiude,  1891  ;  won  three  scholarships  and  honorable  men- 
tion in  Latin,  Greek,  and  history ;  elected  a  member  of  the 
Classical  Club,  and  of  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  Society ;  taught  a 
year  at  St.  Paul's  School,  Concord,  N.  H. ;  admitted  to  the 
Essex  Bar,  1892  ;  and  at  present  (1895)  practising  law  in 
Lynn;  m.  June  26,  1894,  Minnie  Cora,  daughter  of  Charles 
Bickford,  and  grand-niece  of  Hon.  Lot  M.  Morrill,  who  was 
governor  of  Maine,  1858-60,  United  States  senator,  1861-76, 


1 62  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

resigned  to  accept  the  appointment  of  Secretary  of  the  Treas- 
ury, June  21,  1876. 

John  Bernard,  son  of  Charles  and  Mary  (Barrett)  McCarthy, 
b.  Dec.  9,  1872  ;  entered  preparatory  department  of  Boston 
College,  September,  1890;  regular  collegiate  course,  1892; 
after  two  years  in  Boston  College,  completing  the  sophomore 
year,  entered  Jesuit  Novitiate  at  Frederick,  Md.,  to  prepare 
for  the  Catholic  priesthood.  At  present  pursuing  the  classics, 
and  will  make  philosophical  and  theological  courses  at  Wood- 
stock College,  Woodstock,  Md. 

1895,  Mr.  Charles  Torrey,  son  of  Mr.  Charles  Torrey,  is 
a  pupil  in  the  Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology. 

MISSIONARIES. 

Rev.  Henry  F.  Bond,  b.  Boston;  entered  Harvard,  1836  ; 
was  grad.  1840;  entered  Divinity  School,  1842;  was  grad. 
1845  ;  ordained  in  Barre,  Mass.,  1846 ;  m.  Pamela  Orne, 
daughter  of  Hubbard  and  Harriet  (Orne)  Emerson  of  Lynn- 
field,  Jan.  30,  1872.  Mr.  Bond  was  United  States  agent  of 
the  Ute  Indians  in  Colorado,  1874-76,  Mrs.  Bond  being 
teacher  of  the  government  day  school  at  that  agency.  He 
was  selected  in  1886  by  the  American  Unitarian  Association 
to  erect  buildings  and  organize  what  is  now  known  as  the 
"  Montana  Industrial  School,"  of  which  he  was  superintendent 
four  and  one  half  years.  This  was  a  boarding  school  for  the 
Crow  Indians,  and  Mrs.  Bond  was  matron.  She  was  very 
heartily  interested  in  the  Indian  cause,  and  only  left  her  post 
on  account  of  invalidism. 

Helen  Diann,  daughter  of  Samuel  N.  and  Diann  (Nichols) 
Newcomb,  b.  in  Reading ;  her  mother  was  a  native  of  Lynn- 
field,  and  Miss  Newcomb  spent  most  of  her  early  life  here. 
When  very  young  she  united  with  the  Orthodox  Congrega- 
tional Church  in  Lynnfield,  and  was  one  of  its  most  earnest 


EX- JUDGE     STEPHEN    GILMAN. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 63 

and  active  members  until  she  removed  to  Boston.  There 
she  joined  the  Baptist  communion,  and  went,  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Baptist  Mission  Board,  to  India  as  a  missionary 
to  the  natives  of  that  country.  She  has  been  at  work  there 
about  four  years.  1895  she  is  stationed  at  Nursaravapetta, 
Kistna  District,  India. 

Mary  A.  Parsons,  born  in  Lynnfield,  March,  1838;  mar- 
ried April,  1861,  W.  I.  Bishop  (who,  enlisting  in  the  loth 
Massachusetts  Regiment  as  a  private,  was  made  captain  in 
1862).  She  was  for  two  years,  1891  and  1892,  matron  of  the 
Ballard  Normal  School,  Macon,  Ga.,  established  by  the  Ameri- 
can Missionary  Association  to  assist  the  better  class  of  colored 
people  to  become  teachers  and  helpers  of  their  own  race. 

Carl  Sidney  Bishop,  born  in  Lynnfield,  April,  1865,  was 
graduated  at  Mt.  Hermon  School  in  1890,  since  which  time 
he  has  been  secretary  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  for  the  city  of 
Fitchburg. 

Annie  L.  Bishop,  educated  at  Northfield  Seminary,  went 
South  as  music  teacher  under  the  auspices  of  the  American 
Missionary  Association  in  1889,  serving  one  year  at  Macon 
and  two  years  at  Savannah,  Ga.  Her  younger  sister,  Emily  R. 
Bishop,  is  now  teaching  (under  the  A.  M.  A.)  in  Fisk  Uni- 
versity at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  instituted  for  the  higher  education 
of  the  colored  race. 

GRADUATES    FROM    NORMAL    SCHOOLS    AND    ACADEMIES. 

Owing  to  lack  of  space,  we  can  give  only  the  names  of 
graduates,  although  many  who  have  taken  partial  courses  in 
these  and  in  the  commercial  schools  have  done,  or  are  doing, 
excellent  work  in  the  world. 

State  No7'7nal  Schools  of  Massachusetts. 

Lexington  :   Rebecca  S.  Richardson. 

West  Newton  :  Eunice  E.  Richardson.   E.  Augusta  Richardson. 


164  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN 

Salem  : 
Emily  C.  Jackson.  Esther  R.  Perkins. 

Elizabeth  C.  Moulton.  Alfrena  J.  VVhittredge. 

Lizzie  B.  Newhall.  Harriet  F.  Wiley. 

Abby  J.  Richardson.  Ella  L.  Munroe. 

Mary  E.  Bancroft.  Hannah  B.  Danforth. 

Mary  A.  Mansfield.  S.  Isabelle  Hewes. 

Eunice  M.  Bancroft.  Sarah  E.  Wilkins. 

Hannah  V.  Newhall.  Sarah  E.  Whipple. 

Sarah  F.  Bryant.  Mary  J.  Copeland. 

Mary  T.  Danforth.  Kate  E.  Coney. 

Annie  B.  Stevens. 

Thetford  Academy,  Thetford,  Vt. :   George  E.  Herrick. 

Polytechnic  Institute,  Troy,  N.  Y.  :   Rufus  H.  Emerson. 

Phillips  Academy,  Andover,  Classical  Department :  Ly- 
man B.  Smith.     English  Department :  Warren  Newhall. 

Notre  Dame  Academy,  Putnam,  Conn. :  Theresa  L.  Mc- 
Carthy. 

Mrs.  Mary  A.  Parsons  has  contributed  the  following  :  — 

THE    OLD    PARSONS    HOUSE. 

While  it  seems  impossible  to  fix  the  exact  age  of  the  build- 
ing known  as  "  The  Old  Parsons  House,"  there  is  evidence 
favoring  a  date  which  carries  us  a  good  way  back  into  the 
past. 

The  present  proprietor's  family  have  had  it  in  their  posses- 
sion more  than  one  hundred  and  thirty  years,  as  their  records 
show.  This  fact  would  be  readily  inferred,  were  there  no 
other  proof,  by  an  accumulation  of  ancient  relics  scarcely 
possible  except  by  a  race  long  rooted  in  one  spot  and  given 
to  cherishing  its  household  gods. 

Thomas  Bancroft  is  believed  to  have  come  from  England 
into  what  was  then  a  part  of  Lynn,  but  is  now  Lynnfield,  about 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  165 

the  year  1640  ;  he  died  Aug.  19,  169 1.  In  a  sort  of  family 
agreement  drawn  up  soon  after  his  death,  and  still  in  existence, 
the  youngest  son,  Ebenezer,  is  to  take  charge  of  his  widowed 
mother,  and  is  to  have,  if  we  understand  the  document,  the 
houses  and  a  portion  of  the  farm  therefor.  The  word  we 
take  to  mean  the  farmhouse,  barn,  etc.,  is  "housing,"  prob- 
ably the  old  plural  "  housen  "  is  here  indicated. 

It  is  natural  to  suppose  that  he  lived  in  the  Thomas  Ban- 
croft house  for  some  years  at  least,  and  this  house  is  believed 
to  have  stood  near  Beaver  Dam. 

Besides  the  agreement  above  mentioned,  many  important 
papers  were  safely  sheltered  in  the  old  house  till  1878,  when 
they  were  removed  to  a  more  modern  dwelling,  erected, 
however,  on  the  ancestral  acres.  Among  these  papers  are 
several  deeds  conveying  land  to  Thomas  Bancroft,  —  deeds 
dated  1657,  1678,  1682,  1687,  and  1690. 

Nineteen  deeds  bearing  dates  ranging  from  1693  to  17 14, 
inclusive,  have  the  name  of  Ebenezer,  sometimes  styled  Capt. 
Ebenezer  Bancroft,  upon  them ;  twice  it  is  associated  with 
his  brother  John  as  joint  purchaser.  In  none  of  these  have  I 
been  able  to  find  mention  of  a  house ;  a  barn,  however,  is 
named  in  one,  dated  1704. 

I  will  quote  a  line  or  two,  which  seems  to  make  plain  the 
land  given  in  exchange  :  — 

This  land  lies  "  ajoyning  to  a  farm  in  said  Lynn  that  belongs 
to  Charlestown  at  a  Place  called  Beaver  Dam." 

For  this  acre  a  committee  chosen  by  the.  town  of  Charles- 
town  give  another  "that  lies  near  to  said  Bancroft's  Barne, and 
is  the  Easterly  or  South  Easterly  corner  of  the  said  farme  that 
belongs  to  said  Charlestowne  towne." 

It  appears  to  have  been  bounded  less  explicitly  than  is 
usual  in  the  old  deeds,  the  only  boundaries  mentioned  being 
those  of  the  Charlestown  farm  and  the  land  of  Ebenezer 
Bancroft.      If  we    knew  the   exact    limits    of  "Charlestown 


1 66  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN 

farm  "  we  could  tell  with  some  degree  of  assurance  whether 
or  not  this  barn  was  one  long  since  torn  down,  but  built  on 
the  Parsons  land  not  far  from  the  site  of  the  present  barn. 

Capt.  Ebenezer,  the  son  of  Thomas  Bancroft,  died  in  1717, 
leaving  children,  among  them  a  son  who  bore  his  father's 
name.  On  the  outside  of  documents  found  he  is  sometimes 
styled  "  Capt.,"  as  was  his  father,  though  in  the  church 
records  he  appears  usually  as  "Lieut.  Ebenr.  Bancroft." 

The  first  deed  in  which  we  find  his  name  is  dated  1728,  and 
is  concerned  with  a  purchase  in  Marblehead,  but  most  of  the 
land  conveyed  was  in  what  was  then  Lynn,  but  is  now  Lynn- 
field.  There  are  several  such  conveyances  dated  1741  to 
1763,  inclusive.  One  in  1747  alludes  to  "all  the  buildings 
thereon,"  but  from  the  names  of  the  owners  abutting  on  this 
piece  of  land  we  cannot  feel  sure  that  the  Parsons  buildings 
can  be  meant. 

The  first  direct  mention  of  the  house  in  a  deed  is  in  1763, 
but  the  connection  there  suggests  its  previous  existence. 

The  church  of  Lynnfield  records,  which  begin  early  in  the 
last  century,  show  that  the  Bancrofts  were  men  of  substance. 
In  early  Puritan  days  the  congregation  were  placed,  by 
officials  chosen  for  the  purpose,  in  pews  according  to  their 
position  in  society.  It  was  called  "seating  the  church." 
Judged  by  this  standard,  a  highly  honorable  place  seems  to 
have  been  given  the  "  successors  of  Thomas  Bancroft " ; 
doubtless  his  widow  and  children  are  here  indicated. 

Again  the  early  settlers,  before  church  and  state  were  sep- 
arated, were  assessed,  on  a  strictly  property  valuation,  for 
parish  expenses.  It  appears  from  these  assessments  that 
Lieut.  Ebenezer  Bancroft  was  among  the  largest  ratepayers, and 
he  was  treasurer  of  the  society  for  years.  It  seems  likely, 
therefore,  that  on  his  marriage  he  would  build  a  house  for  him- 
self, since  he  had  at  least  a  brother  and  sister.  Indeed  we 
have  no  evidence  that  his  father  did  not  build   it   before   his 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 67 

death  in  1717,  since  it  seems  to  us  the  land,  and  possibly  the 
barn,  once  standing  near  the  house,  were  his. 

At  all  events,  when  the  house  is  mentioned  as  the  "  said 
Ebenr.  Bancroft's  dwelHng-house,"  it  is  in  a  deed  given  by 
"  John  Aborn,  physician."  In  this  deed,  which  conveys  land, 
he  alludes  to  "  the  Deed  I  had  of  him  the  said  Bancroft." 
Afterwards,  the  heirs  of  Dr.  Aborn,  who  died  Nov.  8,  1768, 
sold  to  Ebenezer  Parsons,  Sr.,  "  half  the  house,  and  half 
the  barn,"  which  he  may  have  inherited  through  his  wife,  who 
was  Rebecca,  the  daughter  of  Ebenezer  Bancroft,  2d,  and 
who  was  baptized  1732. 

Lois  Bancroft,  eldest  daughter  of  Capt.  Ebenezer  Bancroft, 
2d,  was  born  in  1724,  and  was  married  twice;  her  second 
husband  being  Israel  Parsons,  the  father  of  Ebenezer  Parsons, 
who  was  born  in  Leicester  in  1762,  but  who  returned  to  his 
grandfather's  house  when  a  small  boy,  before  the  death  of 
Capt.  Ebenezer  Bancroft,  which  occurred  in  1770. 

That  his  twice-widowed  mother  soon  followed  the  child  is 
seen  from  a  paper,  dated  1773,  which  the  widow  of  Ebenezer 
Bancroft  caused  to  be  drawn  up  in  favor  of  her  daughter,  Lois 
Parsons.  In  this,  Ruth  Bancroft  makes  over  her  clothing, 
"  Indoor  moveables,"  etc.,  to  her  ''daughter,  Lois  Parsons," 
and  we  thus  account  for  much  of  the  old-time  furniture  still  in 
use  by  her  descendants. 

We  find  the  following  in  the  church  record  :  "  Feb.  5,  1773, 
died  suddenly,  Ruth,  relict  of  the  late  Capt.  Ebenezer  Ban- 
croft, in  the  76th  year  of  her  age.  She  had  scarcely  time  to 
say  any  more  than  that  she  was  not  the  least  afraid  to  die. 
Thus  died  that  godly  woman." 

Dated  1786  is  a  receipted  bill  for  work  on  a  house  for 
Ebenezer  Parsons.  This  being  the  year  before  his  marriage  to 
Nabby  Smith,  he  would  seem  to  be  making  preparations  for  that 
event,  also  that  he  had  some  rights  in  it.  In  1791  he  bought 
out  the  heirs  of  Ebenezer  Bancroft,  two  of  whom  were  his  own 


l68  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

half-sisters,  and    in    1798    he    bought    out    the   heirs  of   Dr. 
Aborn. 

For  some  years  during  his  ownership  of  it  the  house  was 
used  as  an  inn,  and  was  called  "  The  Sun  Tavern" ;  also,  at 
one  tniie,  a  room  in  the  northeast  corner  was  used  for  the 
sale  of  West  India  goods  and  groceries. 

The  first  Ebenezer  Parsons  and  his  son  Ebenezer  were 
ardent  Methodists,  and  rooms  in  the  house  were  rented  to 
more  than  one  of  the  pioneer  Methodist  ministers  with  their 
families ;  so  those  who  talk  of  the  old  Sun  Tavern  must 
not  forget  it  has  also  been  a  Methodist  parsonage  !  Indeed 
it  preserved  the  manuscript  records  of  the  Methodist  Society 
from  the  inception  of  the  movement,  the  ca//  for  the  separate 
society  being  in  181 6. 

We  have  seen  that  Ebenezer  Bancroft,  Sr.,  may  have 
lived  in  the  house,  and  that  his  son  surely  lived  there.  His 
daughter  Lois  was  there  a  widow  in  1773,  if  she  was  not 
born  there  ;  her  son,  Ebenezer  Parsons,  lived  there  ;  his  son, 
Ebenezer  Parsons,  Jr.,  was  born  there  in  1794.  Ebenezer 
Parsons,  3d,  was  born  there  in  1832,  and  his  son,  Starr  Par- 
sons, was  born  there  in  1869. 

For  one  line  to  hold  possession  of  a  homestead  for  so  long 
a  time  is  not  only  an  honorable,  but  it  is  a  very  unusual  record 
for  an  American  dwelling-house. 

Abigail  Smith  was  the  mother  of  Nabby,  wife  of  Ebenezer 
Parsons,  Sr.,  and  in  her  old  age  she  came  to  live  whh  her 
daughter,  endowing  her  with  all  her  worldly  goods.  Doubt- 
less through  her  came  the  ''governor's  chair  "  and  the  cabinet. 
(See  illustration.) 

It  is  known  that  Sarah  Endicott,  niece  of  Gov.  Endicott,  mar- 
ried a  Hart,  and  the  chair  may  have  been  derived  through  her 
to  the  family.  The  name  of  Endicott  is  found  as  a  Christian 
name  in  the  Hart  and  Smith  families,  probably  in  deference  to 
the  family  connection.     On  the  door  of  the  cabinet  are  carved 


Of    T,YNNFIELD,    MASS.  '  169 

the  date  "  1679  "  and  the  letters  "  T.  H.,"  supposed  to  stand  for 
Thomas  Hart,  one  of  the  ancestors  whose  name  appears  often 
in  the  parish  records.  An  old  chair  with  the  letters  "  W.  S." 
(Walter  Smith)  on  it,  and  one  that  one  of  our  oldest  inhab- 
itants feels  sure  is  at  least  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  old,  are 
among  the  heirlooms,  as  well  as  tables,  etc.,  and  many  other 
articles  exceedingly  old  and  yet  in  good  condition. 

The  old  libraries,  "Social"  and  "Lyceum,"  were  kept  in 
this  house  many  years,  and  the  family  took  charge  of  the 
books. 

We  do  not  say  that  the  old  is  better  than  the  new ;  "  treas- 
ures new  and  old "  are  best,  as  the  old  writer  implied,  but 
some  of  us  it  may  be  are  not  sufficiently  alive  to  the  value  of 
the  conservatism  in  the  mental  outfit  of  the  stayers  at  home. 

THE    OLD    TARBELL    PLACE. 

From  "■Semi-Historical  Rambles  among  the  Eighteenth- 
Century  Places,"  by  Hon.  N.  M.  Hawkes  of  Lynn,  we  quote 
a  few  paragraphs  relating  to  this  historic  house,  which  stands 
close  to  the  Saugus  River,  near  the  boundary  lines  of  Saugus 
and  Wakefield,  being  itself  in  Lynnfield  : — 

"  The  big  homely  old  house  is  in  a  secluded  yet  sunny  spot, 
far  from  the  road.  Back  of  it  towers  a  great  bowlder  that 
timid  strangers  were  afraid  to  drive  by.  Wooded  hills  on  the 
north  and  east  keep  off  the  chill  east  winds  of  our  rugged 
climate.  From  its  southern  windows  the  eye  looks  upon  as 
pretty  an  intervale,  bordered  by  as  sparkling  a  river  and 
framed  by  as  verdant  hills,  as  old  Essex  can  show. 

"This  for  a  century  has  been  known  as  the  Tarbell  place. 
Here,  after  the  Revolutionary  War,  came  Jonathan  Tarbell, 
from  the  South  Parish  of  Danvers,  now  Peabody ;  with  him 
came  his  wife  Elizabeth  (Cook)  Tarbell.  His  father,  Jonathan 
Tarbell,  came  here  and  died  in  this  house.     After  these  two 


1  76  •  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

there  likewise  lived  and  died  in  this  house,  and  was  buried  in 
the  family  tomb  upon  the  estate,  a  third  Jonathan  Tarbell. 

"Of  what  interest  is  it  at  this  time,  when  the  name  is  extinct 
in  this  locality? 

"  Let  me  briefly  relate  the  story.  On  the  19th  of  April, 
1775,  some  two  hundred  brave  young  men  marched  from 
the  village  green  in  the  South  Parish  of  Danvers  to  Lex- 
ington, twenty  miles  away.  A  tragedy  there  took  place. 
Every  schoolboy  the  world  over  feels  his  pulse  beat  more 
quickly  as  he  reads  the  tale  of  the  first  blood  shed  in  the  war 
of  American  independence.  Seven  Danvers  men  gave  their 
lives,  that  liberty  might  live. 

"  The  Lexington  monument  in  Peabody,  fittingly  standing  on 
the  spot  whence  the  start  was  made  on  the  fatal  morning,  com- 
memorates the  names  of  the  heroes  who  fell.  The  first  on  the 
list  is  '  Samuel  Cook,  set.  33.'  By  his  side,  when  the  British  bul- 
let struck  his  heart,  stood  his  brother- in  law,  Jonathan  Tarbell." 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  I7I 


CHAPTER   XL 
War  of  Rebellion,  1861. 

Eighty-six  years  after  the  battle  of  Lexington,  and  again  we 
are  in  the  midst  of  war,  civil  war.  Sumter  has  been  fired 
upon,  and  war  is  everywhere  the  chief  topic  of  conversa- 
tion, and  of  the  newspaper  also.  Companies  are  organizing, 
flags  are  being  thrown  to  the  breeze,  and  before  night  after 
Sumter  had  been  taken  some  of  her  sons  might  be  seen  en 
route  for  the  capital.  We  remember  to  have  seen  Benjamin 
W.  Parsons,  a  young  man  of  twenty-three  years,  first,  who  was 
afterward  a  lieutenant ;  after  three  years  of  service  he  came 
home  and  died,  and  was  buried  with  martial  honors. 

The  next  Sabbath  two  patriotic  sermons  were  preached  at 
the  Central  Church  by  the  pastor,  Rev.  William  Chalmers 
Whitcomb,  who  afterward  was  a  chaplain  in  the  United  States 
Army,  and  died  at  Morehead  City,  N.  C. 

The  old  town  hall,  beneath  whose  roof  had  gathered  the 
patriots  of  1776,  and  where  the  soldiers  of  that  date  had 
heard  the  stirring  words  of  independence,  was  opened  to  raise 
funds  and  procure  enlistments  of  soldiers,  and  to  provide  for 
their  families  who  were  left  behind.  Old  men  felt  sad  that 
age  should  keep  them  from  the  field,  and  one  said  that  his 
blood  was  none  too  good  to  be  spilt  for  his  country ;  and  here 
we  give  a  copy  of  resolutions  passed  in  town  meeting  when 
the  three  hundred  thousand  more  men  were  called  for,  and 
recorded  on  the  town  records  :  — 

"  As  the  President  has  called  for  three  hundred  thousand  men  addi- 
tional to  those  already  in  the  field, 


172  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

"  Resolved,  That  to  lose  the  freedom  and  independence  our  fathers  went 
through  a  seven  years'  war  to  gain  would  be  to  the  everlasting  shame  of 
the  nation,  and  that  this  fiendish  rebeUion  should  be  met  by  the  sharpest 
practice  by  the  sword. 

"  Resolved,  That  such  are  the  interests  at  stake,  not  of  our  time  and  na- 
tion only,  but  the  nations  of  the  earth  in  all  time  to  come,  they  should 
he  preserved,  whatever  it  may  cost. 

"  Resolved,T\\2X  the  young  men  of  no  time  nor  nation  have  had  such  an 
opportunity  to  do  great  things  for  their  country  and  the  world  as  the  loyal 
ones  of  our  own,  and  that  ours  of  Lynnfield  are  expected  to  do  their  part 
in  the  great  work. 

"  Resolved,  That  while  we  regard  it  the  first  duty  of  the  nation  to  use  all 
its  energies  to  strike  this  infamous  rebellion  dead,  and  cannot  reasonably 
expect  success  unless  it  does,  our  trust  is  in  the  living  God,  by  whose  power 
nations  rise  or  fall. 

"Lynnfield,  July  28,  1862." 

At  this  time  more  than  one  bridegroom  wore  the  uniform 
of  his  country  at  his  wedding. 

A  number  of  the  sons  of  this  place  who  were  loyal  to  the 
North,  but  who  had  been  living  for  some  time  at  the  South, 
were  seen  at  their  homes  here,  having  been  told  that  they 
were  not  wanted  there.  One  had  just  passed  through  Mont- 
gomery, Ala.,  then  the  capital  of  "Secessia,"  and  was  inter- 
viewed repeatedly  concerning  the  would-be  government. 

The  natives  of  the  town,  residents  of  other  places,  were  not 
slow  or  backward  in  joining  the  army,  and  one  living  at  the 
present  time  can  have  but  a  faint  idea  of  the  bustle  and  ex- 
citernent  exhibited  here  during  the  war.  Previous  to  the  war 
no  liberty  pole  was  ever  seen  on  Lynnfield  Common.  On  the 
17  th  of  June,  the  anniversary  of  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill, 
was  brought  a  flagstaff,  given  by  Hubbard  Emerson,  Esq.,  to 
the  Common.  This  was  finished  and  raised  by  men  of  the 
Centre,  while  the  ladies  were  busy  within  the  town  hall  making 
the  flag  which  was  to  float  from  its  top  so  often  in  the  days 
to  come.  The  liberty  pole  stood  where  the  town  pump  now 
is,  or  perhaps  a  little  more  to  the  east.     There  was  a  celebra- 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  I  73 

tion  on  the  4th  of  July,  when  the  flag  was  unfurled  for  the 
first  time.     This  is  described  under  date  of  1861. 

Everything  possible  was  made  of  ''  red,  white,  and  blue." 
Rosettes,  ladies'  dresses,  window  shades,  children's  hats  and 
clothes  were  striped  with  the  trio  of  colors.  Envelopes  were 
also  in  the  same  hues. 

The  defeat  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run  soon  after  it  occurred 
was  known  all  over  the  country  and  the  flags  run  up  at  half 
mast.  John  P.  Mead,  one  of  our  soldiers,  was  mortally 
wounded  in  the  battle,  and  died  soon  after  at  Richmond, 
Va.  A  wife  and  two  children  survived  him.  A  finger  ring  of 
his  was  sent  home   to   his   family. 

Religious  services  were  held  at  the  camp  on  Sabbath  days, 
generally  towards  sunset,  and  the  pastors  and  choirs  of 
churches  in  the  neighborhood  vied  with  each  other  in  rendering 
assistance.  Sometimes  an  audience  of  ten  thousand  persons 
would  be  gathered.  Rev.  Aflan  Gannett,  who  lived  near  the 
camp  ground,  was  very  active  and  loyal.  The  camp  was 
located  on  both  sides  of  the  Newburyport  Turnpike,  or  in 
common  parlance  now  Broadway,  a  short  distance  from  the 
old  Lyunfield  Hotel,  on  the  border  of  the  beautiful  Suntaug 
Lake,  where  is  now  the  fine  summer  residence  of  David  C. 
Ives,  Esq.  It  increased  the  travel  more  than  a  hundred-fold. 
Notices  were  posted  at  the  corners  of  the  streets,  and  we 
remember  one  which  said  Camp  Stanton,  placed  on  the 
northeast  corner  of  the  old  town  hall.  Every  possible  kind  of 
a  conveyance  was  used  to  transport  visitors  to  the  camp,  while 
thousands  went  on  foot.  The  encampment  was  divided  into 
streets,  with  the  tents  and  cook  houses  ranged  on  either  side, 
running  from  the  highway  to  the  pond.  Some  of  the  streets  were 
named  as  follows  :  Merrimac  Street,  Peanut  Row,  Rue  De 
Vichi,  and  Dolan  Avenue ;  and  the  buildings.  Surf  Ranche, 
Whittier  House,  Harris  Hotel,  Owl  House,  etc. 

At  the  same  time  might   be   seen,  near  the   Centre  depot, 


174  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

two  tents  of  original  pattern,  and  on  inquiry  you  might  find 
here  were  the  Lincoln  guards  of  Camp  Ellsworth,  boys  who 
were  introducing  themselves  to  the  soldier  life. 

On  the  6th  of  October  an  American  eagle  was  seen  perched 
upon  one  of  the  Httle  spires  on  the  Central  Church  steeple. 
From  this  he  flew  to  the  liberty  pole,  rested  about  five 
minutes,  and  then  flew  in  a  southerly  direction. 

At  Thanksgiving  the  soldiers  were  all  remembered  with 
boxes  from  home  containing  turkeys,  chickens,  puddings,  pies, 
etc.,  thus  transplanting  a  Massachusetts  custom  to  the  South, 
and  the  first  recommendation  of  that  day  in  North  Carolina 
by  Chaplain  Whitcomb  is  still  preserved  in  Lynnfield  Centre. 

From  the  camp  ground  could  be  heard  in  the  morning  and 
at  sunset  the  roar  of  artillery  and  the  deafening  cannon ; 
uniforms  and  drums  were  plenty  on  the  streets.  The  mails 
were  heavy,  as  never  before  or  since,  with  letters,  papers,  and 
packages  for  and  from  the  soldiers.  Newspapers  were  read 
with  a  keen  relish  and  brightened  countenance  when  the 
North  won  the  victory,  although  on  some  copperhead  would 
beam  a  smiling  face  when  it  was  rumored  that  the  South  had 
beaten,  or  reported  that  Jefl"  Davis  was  secreted  in  this  town. 

But  at  last,  'tis  declared  that  slavery  is  dead,  that  the  noble 
President  has  freed  a  million  of  slaves.  But  soon  we  hear  the 
bell  tolling,  and  learn  that  the  great  Lincoln  is  no  more,  that 
a  traitor's  hand  has  shot  him.  Every  token  of  mourning  is 
employed,  in  public  and  in  private.  The  Central  Church  was 
draped,  and  services  held  on  the  occasion,  as  in  other  places. 

We  wish  we  could,  in  this  connection,  record  the  dedication 
of  a  monument  to  the  fallen  heroes,  or  even  that  steps  were 
taken  toward  it,  but  we  are  glad  to  know  their  names  on  our 
roll  of  honor  are  read,  their  deeds  recollected,  whenever  Decora- 
tion day  brings  us  its  sad  memories.  Some  of  the  patriotic 
people  called  a  town  meeting  to  see  if  the  town  would  provide 
a   soldiers'  monument,  but  it  was  defeated  ;  still   the  writer 


CAPT.    JOHN    PEHKINS. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 75 

has  faith  to  beHeve  that  Lynnfield  will  yet  do  her  duty  in  this 
memorial  act.  To  him  it  is  a  very  sad  day,  for  on  May  30, 
1863,  Henry  B.  Wellman,  his  brother,  breathed  his  last  on 
Southern  soil,  and  was  laid  to  sleep  beneath  the  magnolia-tree 
in  a  far-oif  clime. 

How  many  sad  heartaches  have  been  caused  by  this  war, 
and  how  many  homes  have  been  changed  by  it !  Let  us 
cherish  its  memories.  Let  us  not  forget  its  lessons,  and  above 
all  let  us  never  forget  its  heroes ;  and  when  we  live  over  the 
yesterdays,  may  we  have  them  in  our  hearts,  and,  like  those 
who  fought  for  their  country  more  than  a  century  ago,  may 
they  be  embalmed  in  the  future,  and  being  dead  may  they  yet 
speak  to  us. 

At  the  time  the  war  broke  out  there  were  one  hundred  and 
thirty-eight  enrolled  militia  in  town ;  and  we  think  Lynnfield 
may  well  be  proud  of  the  great  proportion  of  these  who  became 
soldiers  at  their  country's  call. 

We  give  a  list  of  our  noble  soldiers  who  went  from  this 
town.  But  first,  we  quote  a  poem  written  on  the  death  of 
Lieut.  Benjamin  W.  Parsons,  by  Miss  Charlotte  Kingsbury  ;  and 
after  the  list  of  soldiers  we  subjoin  the  "  roll  of  honor  "  as  it  is 
read  on  Memorial  day  each  year,  and  which  each  year  grows 
longer  as  the  ranks  are  thinned. 

"  Peace,  life's  day  of  battles  over, 

Now  we  lay  thee  down  to  rest, 
With  thy  soldier's  garments  on  thee, 

Folded  close  across  thy  breast. 
All  our  kind  good-nights  are  spoken, 

Hushed  our  last  soft  evening's  song, 
Closely  we  will  lay  the  covering, 

For  thy  night's  repose  is  long. 
Love  and  life  to  country  given, 

We  no  wreaths  have  need  to  t\vine, 
For  the  laurel  decks  thy  pillow, 

And  a  patriot's  bed  is  thine. 
Sweetly  sleeping,  Jesus  guarding 

With  his  ever- watchful  eye, 


176  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

Till  the  great  reveille  is  sounded, 

In  thy  land's  loved  bosom  lie. 
With  our  grateful  hearts  o'erflowing 

For  thy  deeds  of  valor  done, 
And  in  cause  of  right  and  freedom 

For  all  glorious  victories  won, 
Hoping,  trusting,  we  will  leave  thee, 

Though  we  part  with  tears  and  pain. 
For  when  dawns  the  long  to-morrow, 

We  in  joy  may  meet  again."" 

George  B.  Otis,  farmer,  Lynnfield,  18  yrs. ;  enlisted  July  26, 
1 86 1,  for  3  years,  19th  Reg.,  Co.  C ;  single ;  son  of  John  and 
Hannah. 

George  W.  Palmer,  Lynnfield,  23  yrs.;  enlisted  Aug.  28, 
1 86 1,  19th  Reg.,  Co.  A;  married;  died  in  hospital;  son  of 
Asa  and  Mary  Ann. 

Arthur  C.  Richardson,  shoemaker,  Lynnfield,  24  yrs. ;  en- 
listed Oct.  5,  1861,  for  3  yrs.,  22d  Reg.;  re-enlisted,  and 
made  lieutenant ;  single  ;  son  of  Osborne  and  Mary. 

Daniel  N.  McDuffee,  farmer,  Lynnfield,  35  yrs.;  private; 
enlisted  Oct.  5,  1861  ;  Sharpshooters,  2d  Co.;  single;  dis- 
charged July  28,  1862,  for  disability;  son  of  Daniel  and  Eliza. 

Benjamin  W.  Parsons,  shoemaker,  Lynnfield,  25  yrs. ;  en- 
listed May  I,  1861  ;  private;  became  lieutenant;  enlisted 
July  6,  1862,  Rifle  Rangers;  single  ;  son  of  Israel  and  Emily. 

Amos  Howard  of  Burlington,  shoemaker,  23  yrs.;  enlisted 
Aug.  II,  1862,  for  3  yrs.,  33d  Reg.,  Co.  D;  single. 

Charles  W.  H.  Coney,  a  native  of  Lynnfield,  went  from 
North  Reading,  19  yrs.;  enlisted  for  3  yrs.,  July  18,  1862, 
33d  Reg.,  Co.  A ;    lost  an  arm  ;    son  of  Jeremiah  and  Sophia. 

Charles  Carroll  Meader,  Lynnfield,  shoemaker,  31  yrs.; 
private;  enlisted  June  13,  1861  ;  married;  3  years. 

James  Green,  Lynnfield,  shoemaker ;  private ;  enlisted 
Feb.  21,  1862,  for  3  yrs.,  Heavy  Artillery,  Co.  t  ;  married. 

Samuel  W.  Phillipps,  Lynnfield,  shoemaker,  30  yrs. ;  private  ; 
Oct.  21,  1862,  Heavy  Artillery,  Co.  2  ;  married. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 77 

Herbert  A.  Skinner,  Lynnfield,  shoemaker,  26  yrs. ;  private  ; 
enlisted  Oct.  21,  1862,  Heavy  Artillery,  Co.  2  ;  married. 

George  N.  Whiting,  Lynnfield,  shoemaker,  33  yrs. ;  private  ; 
enlisted  Oct.  21,  1862,  Heavy  Artillery,  Co.  2  ;  married. 

A.  Noble,  Lynnfield,  shoemaker,  21  yrs.;  private;  enlisted 
Jan.  6,  1862,  for  3  yrs.,  Unattached  Cavalry;  single. 

William  C.  Whitcomb,  Lynnfield,  clergyman,  43  yrs. ;  chap- 
lain;  married;  died  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 

Joseph  E.  Nevvhall,  Cambridge,  farmer,  18  yrs.;  enlisted 
Sept.  19,  1862,  for  9  mos.,  47th  Reg.,  Co.  A;  single;  son  of 
Joseph. 

Jonas  P.  Barden,  Lynnfield,  farmer,  18  yrs.;  enlisted  July 
30,  1862,  for  3  yrs.,  39th  Reg.,  Co.  A  ;  single  ;  private. 

Anthony  P.  Hegner,  Lynnfield,  locksmith,  18  yrs. ;  private  ; 
enlisted  July  31,  1862,  39th  Reg.,  Co.  A ;  2d  corporal. 

Samuel  H.  Mitchell,  Lynnfield,  shoemaker,  18  yrs.;  en- 
listed July  31,  1862,  39th  Reg.,  Co.  A;  single. 

Jesse  Crosby,  Lynnfield,  34  yrs.;  enlisted  June  13,  1861, 
for  3  yrs.,  nth  Reg.,  Co.  I;  private;  discharged;  married. 

Benjamin  Crowell,  Lynnfield,  shoemaker,  ;^S  yrs.;  June  13, 
1 86 1,  for  3  yrs.,  nth  Reg.,  Co.  I;  single;  discharged;  re- 
enlisted,  ani  killed  near  Port  Hudson,  Louisiana,  May 
21,  1863  ;   he  was  a  private. 

Charles  H.  Forrester,  shoemaker,  Lynnfield,  21  yrs.;  en- 
listed June  13,  1 86 1,  nth  Reg.,  Co.  I;  single;  private;  son 
of  Peter  and  Eunice. 

Ira  M.  Ramsdell,  Lynnfield,  23  yrs.;  private;  enlisted  June 
13,  1861,  nth  Reg.,  Co.  I;  single;  son  of  Joseph  and 
Sophia. 

Joseph  H.  Richardson,  Lynnfield,  22  yrs.;  enlisted  June  13, 
1861,  nth  Reg.,  Co.  I ;  single ;  son  of  Aaron  and  Mary. 

Joseph  L.  Wiley,  shoemaker,  Lynnfield,  26  yrs. ;  private  ; 
June  13,  1 86 1,  nth  Reg.,  Co.  I;  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Gettysburg,  July  3,  1863  ;  single;  son  of  Robert   and  Rosetta. 


I  78  HISTORY    OF  THE   TOWN 

George  M.  Somers,  shoemaker,  Lynnfield,  34  yrs. ;  private  ; 
enlisted  July  31,  1862,  for  3  yrs.,  39th  Reg.,  Co.  A;  married. 

Francis  S.  Richardson,  farmer,  Lynnfield,  24  yrs. ;  private ; 
enlisted  July  30,  1862,  for  3  yrs.,  39th  Reg.,  Co.  A;  single; 
son  of  John  and  Lucinda. 

George  Cox,  Lynnfield,  24  yrs.;  private;  Sept.  19,  1862, 
9  mos.,  50th  Reg.,  Co.  E  ;  married;  farmer;  son  of  Benjamin 
and  Clarissa. 

Benjamin  T.  Brown,  Lynnfield,  painter,  25  yrs.;  private; 
Sept.  19,  1862,  9  mos.,  50th  Reg.,  Co.  E;  single;  son  of 
William  H.  and  Sarah. 

Irving  Richardson,  Lynnfield,  shoemaker,  21  yrs. ;  private  ; 
Sept.  19,  1862,  9  mos.,  50th  Reg.,  Co.  E;  single;  son  of 
Osborne  and  Mary. 

William  C.  Mclntire,  Lynnfield,  30  yrs.;  Sept.  3,  1862- 
June  16,  1865  ;  ex-privateer  of  service,  40th  Reg.,  Co.  F. 

George  A.  Norwood,  Lynnfield,  18  yrs.;  single;  Sept.  3, 
1862-June  10,  1865;  time  out;  40th  Reg.,  Co.  F;  son  of 
James  and  Elmira ;  died  at  80  yrs. 

Reuben  Purdy,  Lynnfield,  28  yrs. ;  Sept.  3,  1862-June  16, 
1865  ;  time  out;  40th  Reg.,  Co.  F. 

Capt.  Thomas  R.  Keenan,  Lynnfield,  25  yrs.;  Feb.  26, 
1864-September,  1864;  discharged  for  disability ;  single. 

Edwin  T.  Hills,  Lynnfield,  18  yrs.;  single;  Sept.  2,  1861  ; 
discharged  Oct.  31,  1862;  disability;  First  Company  Sharp- 
shooters, M.  v.,  three  years. 

George  A.  Richardson,  Lynnfield,  35  years;  enlisted  Dec. 
16,  1863,  for  three  years.  First  Reg.  Heavy  Artillery,  M.  V. 

Henry  A.  Hewes,  Lynnfield,  29  years;  enlisted  Aug.  26, 
1863;  died  at  Newbern,  N.  C,  Oct.  2,  1863;  married;  son 
of  Joel  and  Sarah. 

Joseph  H.  Forrester,  Lynnfield,  21  yrs.;  single;  quarter- 
master sergeant;  enlisted  Aug.  14,  1863,  3d  Reg.  Heavy 
Artillery,  M.  V.,  three  years ;   son  of  Peter  and  Eunice. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 79 

Isaac  H.  Mitchell,  shoemaker,  Lynnfield,  25  yrs. ;  enlisted 
Aug.   7,  1862,  39th  Reg.,  Co.  H;   married;   wounded. 

Jonathan  H.  Mitchell,  shoemaker,  Lynnfield,  t,^  yrs. ; 
private;  enlisted  Aug.  12,  1862,  39th  Reg.,  Co.  A;  married; 
was  in  Libby  Prison. 

William  Oliver  Mansfield,  farmer,  Lynnfield,  21  yrs.;  en- 
listed July  31,.  1862,  for  three  years,  39th  Reg.,  Co.  A; 
single  ;  son  of  Oliver  and  Elizabeth. 

Wendell  G.  Nichols,  farmer,  Lynnfield,  24 ;  private ;  en- 
listed July  31,  1862,  for  three  years,  39th  Reg.,  Co.  A ;  single. 

Levi  S.  Russell,  shoemaker,  first  lieutenant,  Lynnfield,  31 
yrs.;  May  4,  1863,  nth  Reg.  Infantry,  three  years;  was 
second  lieutenant,  Aug.  28,  1862,  and  first  sergeant,  June  13, 
1861  ;  son  of  Orin  and  Esther. 

Joseph  L.  Wiley,  corporal,  Lynnfield,  26  yrs.;  June  13, 
1861,  nth  Reg.  Infantry,  M.  V.,  three  years. 

John  P.  Mead,  Lynnfield,  27  yrs.;  killed  July  21,  1861,  at 
the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  Va. 

Daniel  B.  Wiley,  Lynnfield,  18  yrs.;  single;  June  13, 
1 86 1,  three  years,  nth  Reg.  Infantry,  M.  V.;  son  of  Robert 
and  Rosetta. 

Joseph  Martin,  Lynnfield ;  mustered  Aug.  17,  1863,  for 
three  years;  deserted  March  27,  1864;  belonged  to  i6th 
Reg.  Inf.,  Co.  K,  M.  V. 

George  O'Neil,  Lynnfield,  32  yrs. ;  mustered  July  14,  1861  ; 
discharged  Oct.  10,  i86t,  for  disability;  hospital  steward; 
17th  Reg.  Inf.,  M.  V. 

James  Conner,  Lynnfield,  35  yrs. ;  mustered  July  30,  1861  ; 
discharged  Feb.  2,  for  disability;  T7th  Reg.,  Co.  A,  M.  V., 
three  years. 

Charles  P.  Skinner,  Lynnfield,  18  yrs.;  mustered  Aug.  6, 
1862;  transferred  Sept.  26,  1863,  to  R.  C,  Co.  C,  33d 
Reg.,  M.  v.,  three  years;  lost  an  eye;  son  of  Caleb  and 
Mary. 


l8o  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN 

George  O.  Ramsdell,  sergeant,  Lynnfield,  32  yrs. ;  mustered 
Aug.  14,  1863,  Co.  D,  3d  Reg.  H.  A.,  M.  V.,  3  yrs. 

James  H.  Newhall,  Lynnfield,  39  yrs. ;  mustered  Dec.  29, 

1863,  Co.  D,  3d  Reg.  H.  A.,  M.  V.,  3  yrs. 

Henry  E.  Wiley,  Lynnfield,  i8yrs. ;  mustered  Jan.  5,  1864, 
Co.  D,  3d  Reg.  H.  A.,  M.  V.,  3  yrs. 

George  Reed,  Lynnfield,  18  yrs.;  mustered  Jan.  5,  1864, 
Co.  D,  3d  Reg.,  M.  v.,  3  yrs. 

J.  Atwell  Noble,  first  sergeant,  Lynnfield,  2 1  yrs. ;  mustered 
Dec.  27,  1 86 1,  Co.  L,  3d  Reg.  of  Cavalry,  M.  V.,  3  years. 

Edward  Moulton,  Lynnfield,  21    yrs.;  mustered  Dec.  31, 

1864,  3d  Reg.  of  Cavalry,  M.  V.,  3  yrs. 

Zachary  Wiley,  Lynnfield,  21  yrs.;  Dec.  31,  1864,  Co.  N, 
3d  Reg.  of  Cavalry. 

Charles  E.  Wiley,  Lynnfield,  26  yrs.;  mustered  Dec.  31, 
1864,  Co.  C,  4th  Reg.  of  Cavalry,  M.  V.,  3  yrs. 

James  Gray,  Lynnfield;  mustered  Aug.  9,  1862;  died  July 
17,  1863,  at  New  Orleans,  La.;  Co.  I,  3d  Regiment  Cavalry, 
M.  v.,  3  years. 

Herbert  A.  Skinner,  Lynnfield,  26  yrs. ;  corporal ;  mus- 
tered Oct.  20,  1865,  Co.  B,  First  Battalion  H.  A.,  M.  V., 
3  years ;   married. 

James  G.  Robinson,  Lynnfield,  34  yrs. ;  mustered  Jan.  5, 
1864  ;   First  Battalion  H.  A.,  M.  V.,  3  years. 

Daniel  P.  Cook,  Lynnfield,  ;^^  yrs. ;  mustered  Aug.  31,  1864, 
Co.  G,  First  Reg.  of  Cavalry,  M.  V.,  3  years ;  died. 

Justus  W.  Emerson,  shoemaker,  Lynnfield,  2 1  yrs. ;  Sept. 
19,  1862;  private,  9  mos.,  50th  Reg.,  Co.  E;  single;  son  of 
Oliver  and  Eliza;  re-enlisted  Sept.  i,  1864;  First  Reg. 
Cavalry,  M.  V.,  3  years. 

Osborne  Richardson,  Jr.,  shoemaker,  Lynnfield,  19  yrs.; 
private;  Sept.  19,1862;  9  mos.,  50th  Reg.,  Co.  E;  single; 
son  of  Osborne  and  Mary. 


f/ 


f- 


t. 


f-il 


\y 


OF   LYNNFIELD,    MASS. 


l8l 


Henry  B.  Wellman,  cabinet  maker,  Lynnfield,  22  yrs. ;  pri- 
vate; Sept.  19,  1862,  9  mos.,  50th  Reg.,  Co.  E;  single;  died 
in  hospital  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  May  30,  1863;  son  of 
Thomas  and  Sophia. 

Myron  H.  Whittredge,  shoe  cutter,  Lynnfield,  20  yrs. ; 
private;  Sept.  19,  1862;  9  mos.,  50th  Reg.,  Co.  E;  single; 
son  of  William  A.  and  Mary  J. 

Joshua  Oilman  Havvkes,  teacher,  Lynnfield,  31  yrs.;  Oct. 
II,  1862  ;  9  mos.,  5 2d  Reg. ;  single  ;  son  of  Joshua  and  Abi- 
gail;  died,  drowned  July  24,  1863. 

ROLL  OF   HONOR,  LYNNFIELD'S  FALLEN    HEROES. 


Henry  B.  Wellman. 
Asa  R.  Reed. 
Benj.  W.  Parsons. 
Oeorge  W.  Wiley. 
Edward  S.  Coney. 
Henry  A.  Oates. 
Richard  H.  Hewes. 
James  M.  Roberts. 
Henry  E.  Wiley. 
Manfred  C.  Cook. 
James  Norwood. 
William  C.  Whitcomb 
Benjamin  Crowell. 
Jonas  P.  Barden. 
Oeorge  W.  Young. 
Charles  E.  Ooss. 
Joseph  L.  Hart. 


Jonathan  Pilling. 
Henry  E.  Hewes. 
Daniel  Townsend. 
Wendell  Nichols. 
Charles  Forrester. 
John  P.  Mea«i. 
Joseph  Wiley. 
Thomas  Keenan. 
Joshua  O.  Hawkes. 
William  H.  Cray. 
Daniel  Needham. 
Thomas  W.  Harris. 
Daniel  P.  Cook, 
Ebenezer  Parsons. 
Ebenezer  Hart. 
Oeorge  W.  Wellman. 


Oeorge  A.  Norwood. 
Oeorge  Norwood. 

Memorial  day  was  first  publicly  observed  in  1880.  The 
address  was  given  by  Mr.  Eben.  Parsons,  of  this  town,  who 
also  gave  one  in  1892,  and  we  are  pleased  to  select  a  few 
sentences  from  this  first  address,  especially  as  they  were  the 


1 82  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

words  of  a  man  who  can  boast  that  both  of  his  grandfathers 
were  soldiers  of  the  Revolution  :  — 

"  And  we  who  saw  them  leave  the  plough  afield,  the  shoe 
unmated  in  the  shop,  their  homes  and  all  they  held  dear,  to 
rush  to  the  defence  of  Washington,  and  parry  the  expected 
thrust  at  the  nation's  heart,  and  as  the  contest  deepened,  and 
it  became  evident  that  we  had  engaged  in  no  sham  fight,  or 
sixty  days'  affair,  but  in  a  death  grapple  with  the  Titans  of  dis- 
cord and  misrule,  when  we  saw  them  quietly  buckle  on  their 
armor  for  the  struggle  of  years,  and  resolutely  march  forward 
with  hardship,  disease,  and  death,  disputing  the  way  at  every 
step,  did  we  then  doubt  that  the  blood  of  the  heroes  of  the 
Revolution  was  circulating  still,  that  we  again  had  defined  for 
us  the  ^oxA  patriotism,  and  saw  it  illustrated  in  brilliant  colors? 

"  Few  grudged  then  the  soldier  his  meed  of  praise,  and  *  hur- 
rah for  the  boys  in  blue  '  was  no  mere  holiday  burst  of  eclat, 
but  the  expression  of  a  deep  sentiment  of  gratitude  and  well 
wishing,  mingled  with  reverence  for  their  courage,  and  energy, 
and  sacrifice. 

"  Many  a  one  who,  till  then,  had  seemed  a  mere  waif  of  so- 
ciety, who  had  never  found  his  niche  of  usefulness,  and  had 
been  looked  upon  by  his  neighbors  as  an  eccentric  and  ne'er 
do  well,  suddenly  found  his  place  and  fell  into  line,  showing 
that  manliness  and  heroism  were  there,  needing  only  that  the 
exigency  should  tear  away  the  mask. 

"On  this  beautiful  Memorial  day  that  stands  at  the  wide- 
open  gates  of  summer,  her  hands  filled  with  Nature's  floral 
bounty,  we  will  take  these  elements  of  her  transfiguration  and 
fitting  embleais  of  ours,  and  lay  them  above  the  sacred  dust 
of  those  who  fought  and  fell,  that  we  might  live  and  enjoy  the 
blessing  of  the  noblest  and  freest  country  earth  bears  upon 
her  bosom. 

"  And  may  it  never  become  a  mere  perfunctory  service, 
tediously  and  ceremoniously    performed,  but  an  enthusiastic 


OF   LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 83 

tribute  of  gratitude,  a  sacred  souvenir  of  the  sadness  we  felt  in 
our  country's  darkest  hour,  mingled  with  the  joy  that  filled 
our  hearts  when  victory  perched  upon  the  standard  their 
hands  upheld  and  defended. 

•  •  •  •  •  •  • 

"  They  see  the  tribute  fond  their  comrades  lay 
On  the  green  turf  that  hides  their  dust  away, 
And  say,  albeit  unheard  by  mortal  ear, 
*  Loved  and  remembered  yet  another  year.'  " 

And  we  add  the  following  stanza  from  the  same  pen :  — 

"  Glory  Hallelujah ! 

There's  light  in  the  sky; 
Glory  Hallelujah ! 

At  length  the  bondman's  cry 
Has  pierced  the  thick  o'erhanging  clouds 

And  reached  the  throne  on  high. 
The  stripes  and  stars  hurrah ! 
Our  joy  shall  echo  far. 
The  stripes  for  our  oppressors  now, 
For  us  each  shining  star." 

Lynnfield  at  the  present  time  has  two  observances  on  Me- 
morial day,  one  at  the  Centre  and  one  at  the  south  part  of  the 
town,  and  generally  there  are  two  orations  and  two  collations. 
Rev.  Harry  L.  Brickett  has  many  times  addressed  them,  and 
Mr.  Eben.  Parsons  twice,  as  previously  stated.  He  has  also 
given  a  poem. 

CAMP    OF    THE    LYNNFIELD    VETERANS. 

In  response  to  a  call  signed  by  Geo.  H.  S.  Driver  and 
I.  H.  Mitchell,  addressed  to  the  veterans  of  Lynnfield  and 
issued  in  June,  1893,  a  goodly  number  of  them  gathered  at 
the  house  of  A.  E.  Copeland,  and  committees  were  appointed 
to  perfect  a  permanent  organization,  draw  up  a  constitution, 
etc.  The  meeting  was  then  adjourned  to  be  held  at  the 
town  hall  a  month  later.  Among  the  first  to  become  mem- 
bers were  the  following  :  — 


184  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

A.  E.  Copeland.  Benj.  T.  Brown. 

Geo.  H.  S.  Driver.  P.  McArthur. 

I.  H.  Mitchell.  C.  F.  Pearson. 

A.  O.  Ramsdell.  J.  H.  Newhall. 

G.  Williams.  D.  D.  Hewes. 

J.  W.  Emerson.  O.  Richardson. 

Geo.  O.  Ramsdell. 

Afterward  the  following  comrades  became  members  :  — 
T.  E.  Brown.  Thomas  West. 

F.  J.  Coggin.  Jerome  N.  Day. 

E.  Q.  Moulton.  Geo.  Reed. 

Daniel  F.  Brown.  Reuben  Coates. 

The  following  sons  of  veterans  also  became  associate  mem- 
bers :  Harold  B.  Driver,  Geo.  H.  Driver,  Charles  E.  Pearson. 
Many  of  the  townspeople  became  contributing  members. 

The  first  camp  fire  was  held  Nov.  14,  1893,  and  was  a  com- 
plete success.  Comrade  Dickey  delivered  an  address  in  the 
town  hall  to  a  very  appreciative  audience.  By  these  means 
the  camp  has  now  a  fund  of  ^68.15,  of  which  amount  $S  was 
donated  as  a  nucleus  by  Mr.  E.  Parsons  for  the  special  object 
of  obtaining  tablets  to  be  placed  in  the  town  hall,  or  else  to 
provide  some  other  memorial  of  the  veterans  deceased. 

The  officers  of  the  camp  are  as  follows  :  — 

A.  E.  Copeland,  Commander. 

Benj.  T.  Brown,  Vice-Commander. 

Geo.  H.  S.  Driver,  Chaplain. 

Geo.  H.  S.  Driver,  Quartermaster. 

I.  H.  Mitchell,  Adjutant. 

A.  O.  Ramsdell,  Guard. 

C.  F.  Pearson,  Past  Commander. 

One  member  has  been  mustered  out,  viz.,  Geo.  O.  Ramsdell. 

Extract  from  a  letter  written  by  Benjamin  W.  Parsons  to 
his  cousin,  E.  Parsons  :  — 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 85 

Ship  Island,  Miss.,  March  5,  1862. 

Dear  Coz, — It  is  now  more  than  two  months  since  I  have  seen  the 
face  of  a  friend,  and  it  may  be  years,  or  even  eternity,  before  we  shall 
meet  again.  I  sometimes  think,  shall  I  always  be  well?  Will  the 
climate  always  agree  with  me  as  well  as  now,  or  shall  I,  like  some  others, 
be  taken  with  the  Southern  complaints  and  be  carried  away?  We  have 
but  little  sickness  now  in  our  camp,  but  we  know  not  how  soon  we  may 
be  attacked  by  disease,  and  then  what  shall  we  do?  Here  are  three 
companies  of  cavalry  without  medicines  or  surgeon,  with  no  one  directly 
to  look  out  for  us,  depending  on  the  charities  of  the  "  Dough  Boys' "  surgeon 
for  all  we  have.  This  is  not  as  it  should  be  with  such  a  corps  of  men  as 
we  are  supposed  to  be.  Supper  is  the  order,  and  I  must  stop.  After 
tattoo,  and  I  will  finish  this  letter  that  it  may  go  by  the  morning  mail. 

Our  life  in  camp  is  very  pleasant,  interspersed  with  incidents  exciting 
in  themselves,  as  the  participators  will  testify.  Once  or  twice  a  week  I 
take  a  journey  up  the  island  for  wood;  the  distance  to  the  woods  is  seven 
miles.  The  way  we  bring  down  the  wood  is  to  make  a  raft  and  tow  it 
down,  wading  in  the  water  all  the  way;  most  of  the  time  it  is  about  three 
feet  deep,  but  in  some  of  the  places  it  is  over  your  head. 

One  day  last  week  I  went  for  logs  to  build  a  cook  house,  and  at  about 
four  in  the  afternoon  two  of  us  started  to  bring  down  the  raft;  it  was 
large,  and  we  moved  slowly,  and  when  we  reached  the  pickets  it  was  after 
dark;  the  countersign  had  been  given,  and  there  I  was,  a  sergeant,  ar- 
rested by  the  grand  guard  and  taken  to  the  guard-house,  and  you  may 
guess  I  felt  well,  wet  to  the  skin  from  head  to  foot,  my  boots  and  socks 
sent  into  camp  by  one  of  the  men  who  had  gone  before.  I  had  to  wait 
quite  awhile  before  the  officer  of  the  day  came,  and  when  he  did  come  I 
had  two  miles  to  walk  before  I  could  get  dry  clothes. 

But  my  experience  is  nothing  compared  to  some  of  the  men's.  Only 
yesterday  a  boat's  crew  left  the  upper  end  of  the  island  to  come  to  camp. 
The  wind  was  out,  and  they  came  near  being  blown  on  to  the  rebel's 
territory,  but  by  dint  of  hard  work  they  succeeded  in  reaching  the  island, 
after  being  blown  some  ten  miles  from  it.  I  tell  you  the  men  were  glad 
to  get  back  to  camp,  and  some  of  them  say  they  will  never  venture  in  a 
boat  again  while  on  the  island.  Still  another  boat's  crew  came  near 
being  lost  through  the  inexperience  of  the  officers.  They  went  away  on 
Sunday  to  another  island  near  this,  and  were  unable  to  leave  until  Mon- 
day on  account  of  the  weather,  then  the  men  were  exhausted  from  the 
want  of  proper  food.  The  boat  drifted  to  the  leeward,  despite  all  their 
exertions  to  the  contrary,  and   had  it  not  been  for  one  of  the  gun-boats 


1 86  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

going  to  their  aid,  they  would  have  been  rebel  prisoners  long  before 
this,  as  there  was  a  gun-boat  after  them  sent  from  the  rebels. 

But  the  saucy  appearance  of  the  "New  London"  strikes  terror  into 
the  hearts  of  all  the  rebel  officers.  Why,  the  other  morning  she  came  in 
with  eleven  vessels  in  tow  that  she  had  taken  in  one  cruise  of  some  forty 
hours,  and  she  often  brings  in  three,  four,  and  five  at  a  time. 

We  came  near  being  captured  when  we  came  out,  as  we  have  since 
learned  there  was  a  vessel  lying  watching  for  us  to  come,  but  missed  us, 
and  the  next  day  the  steam  frigate  "  Niagara  "  came  along.  The  rebels 
made  a  fatal  mistake  and  fired  into  her,  one  of  our  largest  men-of-war. 
The  result  was  the  frigate  opened  a  broadside  on  her,  and  she  lay  helpless 
on  the  water,  everything  swept  smooth  to  the  deck.  The  hulk  now  lies 
almost  on  the  beach  in  front  of  our  quarters,  and  we  are  thus  daily 
reminded  of  our  narrow  escape.     Will  write  more  soon. 

B.  W.  PARSONS. 

Address  Sergt.  B.  W.  Parsons,  care  of  Capt.  Magee,  2d  Div.  Light 
Cavalry,  Ship  Island,  Miss. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 87 


CHAPTER    XII. 
Families  of  Lynnfleld. 

The  Aborns  came  to  Lynn  more  than  two  hundred  years 
ago,  and  it^is  said  the  first  of  that  name  was  Samuel.  Samuel 
came  to  Lynn  End,  now  Lynnfield,  and  purchased  eleven 
acres  of  land  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town  for  forty  pounds 
of  bills  of  credit,  Dec.  19,  1 738,  and  at  that  time  probably  built 
the  large  house,  torn  away  a  few  years  ago.  One  prominent 
member  of  the  Aborns  was  Dr.  John  Aborn,  who  died  in  the 
forty-first  year  of  his  age,  Nov.  8,  1768.  His  wife  was  Re- 
becca Bancroft.  Another  was  Dea.  Aborn,  who  lived  at  the 
west  part  of  the  town,  in  the  Miles  Thurston  house.  Dea. 
John  Aborn  and  his  brothers  and  sisters  were  born  in 
this  house,  and  lived  there  till  their  removal  to  Wake- 
field. Dea.  John,  when  the  chapel  was  built  for  the  Central 
Church  a  few  years  ago,  gave  ^50  as  a  memorial  of  his  grand- 
father Aborn,  who  was  an  officer  in  the  church.  In  the 
Peabody  Academy  of  Science,  at  Salem,  is  a  large  wild-cat 
stuffed,  killed  in  Lynnfield  by  Eben.  Aborn,  1832,  which  looks 
as  fresh  as  if  just  taken  from  the  woods. 

Thomas  Bancroft,  who  first  came  over,  was  born  in  Eng- 
land. He  died  Aug.  19,  1691.  He  is  recorded  in  the  county 
records  as  Lieut.  Thomas  Bancroft.  He  owned  a  large  tract 
of  land  and  built  a  house  near  Beaver  Dam,  at  Lynnfield. 
He  was  married,  before  leaving  England,  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Metcalf,  of  Dover.  He  was  buried  at  Wakefield,  where  his 
ancient  tombstone  may  still    be    seen.     His  brother,  who  left 


1 88  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

England  with  him,  settled  in  Brimfield,  Conn.,  and  another 
died  on  the  passage  here  or  soon  after.  He  had  three  sons  : 
Thomas,  who  settled  in  Reading,  and  it  is  said  built  the  fourth 
house  in  that  place,  about  1669,  where  he  died  June  12, 17 18; 
another  son,  Ebenezer,  has  posterity  still  residing  in  Lynnfield 
Centre;  John  Bancroft,  his  second  son,  born  March  3,  1650, 
died  Jan.  25,  1739,  aged  89  years,  at  Lynnfield,  leaving  three 
sons  and  five  daughters  :  Mary,  married  David  Wellman  ;  Eliza, 
a  Mr.  Carter  ;  Susan,  a  Mr.  Waite  ;  Eunice,  Mr.  Bancroft ;  Jane, 
Mr.  Whitney.  He  also  had  by  his  second  wife,  Nathaniel,  born 
Oct.  28,  1 7 15.  Timothy,  his  second  son,  settled  in  Lunen- 
burg. Nathaniel  married  May  18,  1749,  Mary  Taylor,  of  Sud- 
bury, by  whom  he  had  four  sons  and  four  daughters.  The 
three  eldest  sons  and  one  daughter  died  in  infancy.  Hannah 
married  John  Danforth,  left  a  son  who  also  resided  in  Lynn- 
field, being  the  father  of  the  late  John  Danforth,  and  grand- 
father of  the  present  John  M.  Danforth,  of  this  place. 

Nathaniel  Bancroft  was  deacon  of  the  First  Church  in  this 
town,  as  was  his  father  before  him,  and  the  house  he  built  one 
hundred  and  fifty  years  ago  is  still  standing.  He  had  a  son, 
Thomas,  born  Nov.  4,  1765,  married  Elizabeth  Ives  of  Salem, 
and  he  died  at  Canton,  China,  Nov.  15,  1807,  leaving  a  son^ 
Thomas  Boyington  Bancroft.  James,  son  of  John,  married 
Esther  Smith,  of  Reading,  and  died  Aug.  22,  1814,  aged  82 
years.  His  wife  died  March  25  of  the  same  year.  He  was,  by 
trade,  a  house  joiner,  and  cultivated  a  small  farm  in  Lynnfield, 
inherited  from  his  father.  He  left  one  son,  James,  who  fought 
in  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  who  was  the  father  of  four  sons 
and  three  daughters.  James,  Henry,  Charles,  Sarah  Parsons, 
and  Harriet  lived  to  mature  age ;  the  latter  became  the  wife 
of  Rev.  Benjamin  C.  Cutler,  of  Brooklyn,  New  York,  an  Epis- 
copal clergyman. 

Henry  Bancroft,  born  Aug.  9,  1786,  was  the  only  one  who 
spent    his    fife    and    died    in    this    town.     He  married  Eliza, 


r 


WILLIAM    E.    KOUNDY. 


OF    LY^fNFIELD,    MASS.  1 89 

daughter  of  Rev.  Joseph  Mottey,  of  Lynnfield,  Oct.  i6,  1821  ; 
was  by  profession  a  mariner;  began  his  career  the  5th  of  No- 
vember, 1800  ;  April,  1804,  was  chosen  mate  of  a  ship  ;  in  June 
was  first  officer,  aged  seventeen  years  and  ten  months ;  Dec. 
7,  1806,  took  command  of  a  brig  when  but  nineteen  years 
and  four  months,  and  from  that  continued  as  master  (with 
the  exception  of  two  years  as  first  officer,  and  one  cruise  as 
second  lieutenant  of  a  privateer,  during  the  war  of  1812-15) 
till  the  last  of  December,  1835,  when  he  quit  the  sea  and  re- 
sided in  Lynnfield  Centre  till  his  death,  Feb.  10,  1869.  He 
had  two  sons  and  one  daughter :  George  Mottey,  lost  at  sea, 
February,  185 1  ;  Henry  Alexander,  returned  from  Canton, 
China,  August,  1856,  after  an  absence  of  seven  years;  the 
daughter,  Eliza  Ann  Moody,  married  Cyrus  Wakefield,  Esq., 
of  Wakefield,  Mass.,  October,  1841. 

The  Bancroft  family  is  quite  widely  diffused.  It  is  said  that 
Samuel  Bancroft,  who  was  the  father  of  Rev.  Aaron  Bancroft, 
had  four  sons  and  seven  daughters.  His  wife  died  November, 
1 81 3,  leaving  a  posterity  of  three  hundred  and  thirty-three. 
The  Rev.  Aaron  Bancroft,  of  Worcester,  before  mentioned, 
was  the  father  of  George  Bancroft,  the  eminent  historian  of 
this  country,  thus  we  show  that  he  sprang  from  a  Lynnfield 
family. 

Lieut.  Thomas  Bancroft,  who  is  buried  at  Wakefield,  has 
the  oldest  tombstone  in  that  town.  He  was  interred  in  the 
first  burial  ground  in  the  Common  not  far  from  the  Pagoda. 
When  the  ground  was  merged  into  the  Common,  his  stone, 
with  the  others,  was  moved  to  the  more  recent  ground.  As  he 
belonged  to  Lynnfield,  and  died  here,  it  would  be  a  good  plan 
to  bring  back  his  monument  where  he  lived  and  died. 

One  branch  of  this  family  is  that  of  Thomas  Bancroft,  who 
came  from  Reading,  married  Lydia  Brown,  and  reared  a 
large  family  of  children.  Henry  succeeded  his  father  on  his 
farm,   which  was  very  valuable  and   was  once  the  Wellman 


190  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

estate.  Mr.  Thomas  Bancroft  married  Ruth  Wellman  for  a 
second  wife.  Warren,  a  son  of  Thomas,  was  deacon  of  the 
church  here,  and  left  a  large  family.  Joseph  T.,  his  son,  was 
elected  to  the  same  office  as  his  father.  Thomas  Bancroft, 
son  of  Thomas  aforesaid,  was  known,  till  his  death  in  1861,  as 
an  extensive  hardware  merchant  in  Salem,  and  was  the  father 
of  Dea.  Thomas  Frederick  Bancroft  (all  natives  of  Lynn- 
field)  ,  of  Lynn,  who  was  killed  at  the  Revere  disaster  a  few 
years  ago. 

Miss  Mary  Mansfield  Bancroft,  who  died  Nov.  21,  1886, 
was  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Bancroft.  She  was  an  earnest, 
helpful.  Christian  woman.  At  her  death  she  left  the  Evan- 
gelical Congregational  Church,  of  which  she  was  a  member,  a 
fund  of  one  thousand  dollars,  beside  other  gifts. 

Henry  Bancroft,  son  of  Thomas  and  Lydia  (Brown)  Ban- 
croft, was  born  Dec.  8,  1806,  and  died  Feb.  23,  1870.  Henry 
Bancroft  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  lived  in  Lynnfield 
all  his  life,  except  for  a  brief  period  which  he  spent  in  Ando- 
ver,  Mass.  He  married  Eunice  Mansfield,  Jan.  12,  1837. 
Their  children  were  Abby  A.  and  Eunice  M.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Orthodox  Congregational  Society  from  its  beginning. 
He  never  courted  publicity,  but  lived  a  quiet,  unobtrusive, 
kindly  life.  His  only  surviving  child,  herself  an  honored  mem- 
ber of  the  community,  holds  his  memory  dear  and  precious. 
He  had  two  daughters,  both  of  whom  have  been  wives  of  George 
E.  Herrick,  who  was  born  at  Salem,  March  22,  1835  ;  moved 
to  Danvers,  1844,  now  Peabody ;  studied  at  Thetford,  Vt. ; 
taught  school  in  Massachusetts  and  Vermont ;  came  to 
Lynnfield,  April  24,  1861,  when  he  was  married  to  Miss  Abby 
A.  Bancroft;  was  married  April  5,  1877,  to  her  sister,  Eunice 
M.  Bancroft;  was  chosen  deacon  of  Central  Church,  Feb.  17, 
1879;  ^^s  on  the  school  committee  sixteen  years ;  has  two 
sons  and  two  daughters ;  resides  at  Cedar  Hill  farm. 

George  E.  Batchelder  was  born  in  Salem,  Mass.,  Sept  7, 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  J9I 

1832 ;  attended  the  Phillips  Grammar  and  English  High 
Schools ;  married  Miss  Rebecca  P.  Southward,  of  Salem,  Nov. 
23,  1858.  Their  only  child,  Mary  Chesler,  now  Mrs.  Frank 
M.  Soule,  with  their  three  children,  George  B.,  Lewis,  and 
Gladys,  make  their  home  in  Montclair,  N.  J.  His  daughter 
was  married  Oct.  8,  1884,  and  his  eldest  grandson,  George 
B.,  was  born  July  26,  1 885,  in  Lynnfield  Centre.  Mr.  Batchelder 
resided  in  Somerville  fifteen  years,  from  March  10,  1869,  re- 
moving to  Lynnfield  Centre,  June  19,  1884,  where  he  still 
resides.  Has  been  connected  with  the  Baptist  denomination 
forty-two  years.  His  connection  wdth  the  Boston  and  Maine 
Railroad  extended  over  a  period  of  more  than  thirty- two  years, 
holding  the  offices  of  clerk  and  freight  auditor  under  Supt. 
William  Merritt  and  General  Manager  James  T.  Furber. 
Since  resigning  his  position  on  the  Boston  and  Maine,  he  has 
given  his  attention  somewhat  to  real  estate,  building  several 
dwelling-houses  in  Reading  and  Lynnfield  Centre. 

The  name  of  Brown  has  been  scattered  through  the  history 
of  Lynnfield  at  periods  of  short  intervals.  It  has  also  abounded 
just  over  the  line  in  Wakefield  ever  since  the  settlement  of  that 
place.  On  the  records  of  Lynnfield  we  find  the  Browns  in  quite 
large  numbers  a  century  and  a  half  ago.  We  remember  in 
our  boyhood  stones  of  memorial  in  the  old  burying  ground 
almost  sunken  out  of  sight,  bearing  this  worthy  name,  that 
now  can't  be  read.  On  the  records  we  find  in  1750  the  names 
of  Jacob  Brown,  Jonathan  Brown,  and  ten  years  later  the 
name  of  Joseph,  In  the  year  1800  two  families  removed  to 
Charlestown  who  had  years  before  come  here.  Besides  these 
there  were  several  migratory  families. 

James  Brown  settled  at  the  south  part  of  the  town.  His 
father  lived  in  Charlestown,  and  gave  each  of  his  children 
farms  in  a  more  central  part  of  the  State.  His  son  James 
said  he  did  not  like  to  live  where  there  were  so  many  bears 
and  wild  beasts,  so  the  father  bought  a  farm  in  what  is  now 


192  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

this  town.  His  wife  was  Lydia  Nichols,  of  Reading.  She 
died  Oct.  2,  1786.  He  then  married,  for  his  second  wife, 
Susan  Wellman,  of  Lynnfield,  who  died  Nov.  8,  1802. 

Their  children  were  Lydia,  James,  Mehitable,  Timothy, 
Sally,  John,  Rebecca,  Susanna,  Stephen,  Jonathan,  and 
others.  Rebecca  married  Elijah  Hewes  of  this  town. 
Susanna  married  John  Seaver,  and  had  two  children,  John 
and  Mary  A.  Lydia  was  the  first  wife  of  Thomas  Bancroft  of 
Lynnfield,  to  whom  she  was  married  Nov.  25,  1790.  She 
died  Dec.  11,  1813.  James  Brown,  born  Oct.  3,  1771,  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Perkins  of  this  place,  Aug.  30,  1802.  They 
afterward  moved  to  Danvers,  afterward  South  Danvers,  since 
Peabody,  and  died  there  of  good  old  age,  and  were  laid  in 
Harmony  Grove  Cemetery.  He  was  deacon  of  the  South 
Church,  and  was  an  excellent  man.  His  father  died  at  the 
home  of  this  son,  aged  seventy  years.  John,  son  of  James 
and  brother  of  the  deacon,  married  Abigail  West,  of  Salem, 
and  Timothy  married  Mary  Mansfield,  of  the  same  place. 

Joseph  Brown,  at  the  time  the  oldest  person  in  town,  died 
of  old  age,  July  17,  1891,  aged  ninety-two  years  three  months 
and  nineteen  days,  leaving  quite  a  posterity.  His  father  was 
Joseph  Brown,  and  his  mother,  Mercy  Southwick,  and  he  was 
born  in  Danvers. 

Mr.  William  Brown,  who  was  killed  at  Wakefield  in  De- 
cember, i860,  came  from  that  place.  His  wife  lived  to  a 
good  old  age.  They  had  three  sons  who  enlisted  for  their 
country  during  the  last  war  :  Benjamin  T.,  Augustus  B.,  and 
Thomas  E. ;  the  second  one  died,  and  is  buried  in  Forest  Hill 
Cemetery. 

John  Bryant  was  born  1722,  and  died  1795.  He  had  two 
wives ;  the  first  was  Margaret  Smith,  the  second  Anna  Lar- 
com,  both  natives  of  Beverly.  His  children  were  :  Benjamin, 
Jonathan,  Mary,  Lydia,  Elizabeth,  Sarah,  and  John.  Jonathan, 
second    son,    married    Sarah    Norwood,    and    they   were   the 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 93 

parents  of  John,  Anna,  and  Sarah  Bryant.  Mr.  John  Bryant 
died,  and  his  widow  married  John  Derby,  of  Harvard,  Mass. 
She  died  June  30,  1829,  having  been  the  mother  of  eleven 
children.  Of  the  three  children  of  John  and  Sarah  Bryant, 
Sarah  died  while  young,  and  Anna,  who  was  blind,  died  at 
the  age  of  twenty-four,  while  John,  who  was  born  1772, 
married  Sarah  Brown,  April  28,  1807,  and  they  had  eight 
children:  John,  born  May  3,  18 10;  Sarah,  Jonathan,  Anna, 
Brown,  Lydia  Nichols,  Maria,  Benjamin.  Mr.  John  Bryant  is 
still  living  at  fourscore  and  five  years  of  age,  and  Jonathan  at 
eighty.  Anna,  Maria,  and  Benjamin  still  live  at  the  old 
homestead.  Lydia  N.  married  Edwin  Mudge,  a  prominent 
citizen  of  Danvers ;  is  a  widow,  and  still  resides  there  with 
her  daughter.  Sarah  Frances  Bryant  married  Warren  Harris 
of  Millbury,  a  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  that  place,  where  is 
still  her  residence.  The  house  has  been  built  in  which  this 
family  reside  nearly  ninety  years,  but  it  attests  the  care  of  its 
owner,  as  the  engraving  in  this  book  will  show. 

Jonathan  Bryant,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Sarah  (Brown) 
Bryant,  was  born  Jan.  11,  1815.  He  married  Sarah  P. 
Spokesfield,  of  Reading,  1839.  She  was  the  mother  of  his 
children,  of  whom  three  are  living.  She  died  1873.  He 
married  Mrs.  Hannah  P.  Pringle,  1874,  who  died  February, 
1884.  Nov.  I,  1885,  he  married  Mrs.  Susan  E.  Green,  of 
Reading.  He  is  a  farmer ;  was  postmaster  several  years, 
and  was  town  treasurer  nine  years.  He  is  a  public-spirited 
citizen  and  a  representative  man  of  Lynnfield. 

The  Chasson  families  are  residents  of  the  eastern  part  of 
the  town,  and  the  history  of  them,  if  written  out,  would  be 
one  of  the  most  interesting  in  town.  The  marriage  on  the 
town  records  reads  as  follows,  date  of  1828  :  — 

"Thomas  Chasson,  steward  of  the  ship  'Hyde  Bachelor,' and  Anne 
Henry,  spinster,  both  at  Calcutta,  Fort  William,  in  Bengal,  were  married  at 
Calcutta  aforesaid  this  thirteenth  day  of  May,  A.  D.  1 81 6,  by  me,  Henry 
Shepherd,  Senior,  chaplain  at  the  Presidency  of  Fort  William." 


194  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

The  above  couple,  natives  of  India,  were  the  parents  of 
Martha  W.,  Lucy  Ann  Philhps,  George  W.,  Thomas  J.,  Mary 
J.,  Caroline  E.  The  father,  Thomas  Chasson,  died,  and  the 
mother  married  John  Stone.  They  had  a  daughter,  Sarah, 
who,  with  her  husband  and  one  son,  still  lives  on  the  home- 
stead. Mrs.  Stone  died  1886,  and  is  buried  in  Forest  Hill, 
leaving  descendants  of  the  fourth  generation,  having  been 
married  sixty  years  before. 

Rev.  Ariel  Parish  Chute  was  born  at  Byfield,  Mass.,  May 
10,  1809,  and  studied  at  Dummer  Academy  in  that  place; 
was  also  principal  of  Dummer  Academy,  Byfield,  as  well  as 
Warren  Academy  and  Milton  Academy,  Woburn.  He  was 
settled  over  Congregational  churches  in  Oxford,  Me., 
Pownal,  Me.,  Ware,  Mass. ;  and  supphed  the  pulpit  at  South 
Lynnfield,  Mass.,  for  six  years.  He  died  at  Sharon,  Mass.? 
Sunday,  Dec.  18,  1887,  of  pneumonia,  aged  seventy-eight 
years.  Mr.  Chute  was  a  descendant  of  James,  who  settled  in 
Byfield  at  its  commencement  in  1681,  who  was  a  grandson  of 
Lionel,  who  came  from  England  in  1635,  and  whose  ancestry 
is  traced  back  to  Alexander,  born  in  1268.  These  were  writ- 
ten on  a  timeworn  parchment  once  owned  by  the  Rev.  A.  P. 
Chute.  While  at  Lynnfield  in  1850  he  kept  a  select  school, 
which  was  greatly  appreciated.  He  was  a  great  collector  of 
curiosities,  and  about  the  time  he  was  here  sold  a  collection 
for  $400.  He  was  very  much  interested  in  the  formation  of 
the  South  Church  in  this  town. 

John  Danforth,  Esq.,  was  born  in  Lynnfield,  November, 
18 14.  Married  Miss  Sarah  H.  Perkins,  daughter  of  Dea. 
John  Perkins,  and  died  in  the  house  in  which  he  was  born. 
He  passed  away  suddenly  after  a  few  hours'  illness  at  the  age 
of  sixty-six  years.  He  had  been  station  agent  for  Lynnfield 
Centre  ever  since  the  railroad  was  built,  a  period  of  twenty- 
five  years,  a  position  for  which  he  was  admirably  adapted. 
He   was   for   more   than  a  quarter  of  a  century   selectman, 


^"'■^^ 


o 
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~3 
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OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 95 

assessor,  and  overseer  of  the  poor  for  this  town,  and  discharged 
his  duties  with  great  fidelity.  He  also  represented  the 
town  in  the  Legislature.  He  was  one  of  the  trustees  of  the 
Essex  Agricultural  Society.  He  owned  one  of  the  best  farms 
in  town,  an  heirloom  from  his  father,  grandfather,  and  gen- 
erations back.  He  was  laid  to  sleep  in  Forest  Hill  Cemetery 
in  a  lot  purchased  by  him  at  its  consecration,  and  he  was  the 
first  to  occupy  it.  The  town  lost  a  valuable  citizen,  his  family  a 
kind  husband  and  father,  and  the  community  a  genial  friend. 
In  religion  he  was  a  Universalist,  in  politics  a  Repubhcan. 
He  leaves  a  wife  and  six  children,  three  sons  and  three 
daughters.  The  oldest,  John  M.,  is  selectman,  etc.,  at  the 
present  time,  has  twice  represented  the  town  in  the  Legis- 
lature, is  county  commissioner,  has  been  secretary  of  the 
Essex  Agricultural  Society  for  the  past  two  years,  and  ably 
fills  other  important  offices.     He  was  born  Jan.  i,  1840. 

Dr.  Nathaniel  Bancroft  Danforth,  who  was  a  brother  of  the 
first-mentioned  John  Danforth,  was  born  at  Lynnfield,  Sept. 
24,  182 1  ;  and  died  at  Wrentham,  Mass.,  Jan.  30,  1864,  aged 
forty-two.  He  was  buried  in  the  West  burying  ground,  beside 
his  father  and  mother.  He  practised  at  his  profession  for 
many  years  in  the  town  of  Chatham,  Mass.,  the  home  of  his 
wife.  He  left  one  son,  Galen  B.,  who  went  as  a  missionory 
to  Syria,  and  married  a  daughter  of  the  late  Simeon  Calhoun 
(also  a  missionary),  but  both  died  ere  the  noon  of  life  had 
come,  and  sleep  on  Oriental  soil. 

Hubbard  Emerson  was  born  in  South  Reading,  April  30, 
1799.  He  was  a  resident  of  this  town,  and  one  of  its  most 
influential  citizens  for  many  years.  He  died  Oct.  4,  1878. 
Cherishing  his  memory  as  one  of  our  dearest  possessions,  we 
would  quote  as  the  fittest  close  to  this  brief  notice  his  epi- 
taph :  "  He  was  loved  for  his  merry  heart,  his  open  hand, 
his  wise  counsels,  his  soul  of  honor." 

George    H.  S.    Driver   was    born  in   Salem,  Feb.  4,  1842  ; 


196  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

removed  to  Danvers,  1854.  Went  on  a  voyage  to  Zanzibar, 
i860,  in  quest  of  health,  which  he  obtained.  Enlisted  Oct. 
4, 1861,  Co.  E,  23d  Regiment  Infantry,  which  was  in  the  Burn- 
side  expedition  to  Hatteras.  Was  sick  with  typhoid  fever,  and 
discharged  Sept.  28,  1862.  Was  married  to  Lucretia  G.  Lar- 
kin  of  Boston,  Nov.  19,  1868;  and  has  subsequently  resided 
in  Boston,  Salem,  Lynn,  and  Lynnfield,  the  latter  place  for  more 
than  ten  years.  He  is  at  present  in  the  real-estate  business. 
Has  been  twice  burned  out  in  business.  Is  a  member  of  the 
Episcopal  Church,  and  an  ardent  Christian  worker.  He  has 
two  daughters  and  two  sons,  and  owns  a  fine  residence  near 
the  depot,  Lynnfield  Centre.  He  is  one  of  the  school  com- 
mittee of  the  town  at  the  present  time  (1895). 

The  following  tribute  to  Rev.  Allan  Gannett  is  copied  from 
an  article  in  a  newspaper :  ''  He  was  born  in  Tamworth? 
N.  H.,  Jan.  5,  1804,  and  was  the  son  of  Dea.  Matthew  and 
Priscilla  (Hay ward)  Gannett.  His  Paritan  ancestors  first 
settled  in  Scituate.  He  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College  in 
the  same  class  with  Hon.  Salmon  Chase,  Prof.  John  Kendrick, 
and  Rev.  George  Punchard,  He  spent  two  years  at  Andover 
Theological  Seminary,  and  left  in  1832.  The  year  following 
he  began  to  preach  at  North  Conway,  and  was  ordained  as 
pastor  of  the  Trinitarian  Congregational  Church  in  that  place, 
Jan.  20,  1836.  He  left  North  Conway  in  1838.  From  1841 
to  1843  he  was  acting  pastor  at  Edgartown.  In  1847  he  was 
installed  at  North  Beverly,  where  he  remained  until  1853. 
In  the  interval  between  his  labors  at  Edgartown  and  his 
settlement  at  North  Beverly,  he  resided  two  years  or  more  at 
Georgetown,  where  he  was  engaged  in  editing  the  Watch 
Tozaer,  a  weekly  religious  paper,  and  in  preparing  a  few  young 
men  for  college.  During  1853-58  he  resided  at  Nahant, 
and  supplied  the  pulpit  of  the  Independent  Church  there. 
During  1858-65  he  was  acting  pastor  of  the  Second  Church 
of  Lynftfield.     In   1871    he  was    married  to  Mrs.  Ann  Eliza 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  I97 

Osborn,  of  Edgartown.  Mr.  Gannett  was  an  earnest  and 
faithful  preacher.  .  .  .He  died  at  his  residence  in  Edgartown, 
Oct.  16,  1 881,  after  an  illness  of  about  four  months,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-seven  years." 

Among  the  older  families  of  this  town  was  the  Geary,  or,  as 
now  spelt,  the  Gerry  family.  The  ancestor  was  Dennis  Geary, 
of  Irish  blood.  Lieut.  John  Geary  was  one  of  his  descendants  ; 
Elbridge  Gerry,  governor  of  Massachusetts,  and  Vice-Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  belonged  to  this  stock,  as  also 
did  afterward  Gov.  Gerry  of  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Elbridge 
Gerry  died  in  this  town,  Aug.  17,  1882,  aged  seventy-three 
years.  He  was  born  in  Hillsboro,  N.  H.  His  son,  Elbridge 
F.  Gerry,  owns  the  mill  at  the  Centre,  and  has  a  son  who 
wears  the  honored  name  of  Elbridge.  The  Stoneham  families 
of  this  name  sprung  from  Lynnfield.  A  picture  of  Gerry's 
mills  forms  one  of  the  illustrations  of  this  book. 

Rev.  Henry  Solomon,  son  of  John  ^V.  and  Sophia  (Bond) 
Green,  was  born  at  Boston,  Mass.,  Feb.  9,  r8o7;  studied  at 
Amherst  Academy;  graduated  at  Amherst  College,  1834,  and 
Andover  Theological  Seminary,  1837  ;  ordained  at  Lynnfield, 
Dec.  27,  1837  ;  dismissed  April  29,  1850  ;  acted  as  pastor  in 
Ballardvale,  in  Andover,  till  he  was  installed  pastor,  April  i, 
1855,  and  died  in  office.  He  represented  Andover  in  the 
Legislature.  He  married  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Stephen  and 
Hannah  (Russell)  Abbott,  of  Andover,  where  she  died  Jan. 
27,  1878.  They  had  five  children.  All  died  young,  except 
Henry  Mottey,  who  died  Jan.  19,  1867.  Rev.  Mr.  Green 
died  at  Ballardvale  of  apoplexy,  June  11,  1880,  aged  seventy- 
eight  years  four  months.  He  left  in  his  will  his  home  at 
Ballardvale  at  Andover  as  a  parsonage  for  the  LTnion  Society, 
to  be  occupied  only  by  the  regularly  settled  minister  of  the 
society,  and  $1,000  to  endow  the  Green  scholarship  at  Amherst 
College  as  a  memorial  gift  from  H.  S.  Green,  of  the  class  of 
1834,  and   from  H.  M.  Green,  of  the  class   of  1865,  for  the 


198  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

benefit  of  some  worthy  graduate  of  the  High  or  Punchard 
School  of  Andover,  and  ^100  each  to  the  American  Board 
and  State  Missionary  Society.  He  sleeps  in  Andover,  and 
his  children  who  died  here  have  been  removed  from  this 
town  to  that.  Mr.  Green  had  many  friends  here,  and  he 
very  often  came  back  here,  where  he  had  hoped  to  spend  his 
days,  to  say  the  last  words  over  their  sleeping  forms.  He 
named  his  son  Henry  Mottey  for  a  former  pastor  here,  whom 
he  often  used  to  speak  of  as  Father  Mottey.  He  was  a  great 
lover  of  children  and  y  )ung  people ;  in  turn  he  was  much 
beloved  by  them.  He  was  presented  with  a  silver  pitcher  on 
leaving  this  place,  and  his  wife  with  a  gold  pencil. 

Stephen  Oilman,  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Goodhue)  Gil- 
man,  was  born  in  Meredith  Village,  N.  H.,  Sept.  28,  1819, 
and  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1848. 

For  a  period  of  about  twenty  years  he  was  engaged  in 
teaching  in  Massachusetts  and  New  York.  He  studied  law  in 
New  York  City  with  Mann  &  Parsons  of  Wall  Street,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  New  York  Bar,  Nov.  24,  1871,  and  to  the 
Suffolk  Bar  in  April,  1879. 

In  1882  he  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Long  one  of  the  trial 
justices  of  Essex  County,  which  position  he  retained  until 
November,  1894,  when  he  resigned. 

On  Aug.  7,  1 88 1,  Mr.  Oilman  married  the  eldest  daughter 
of  Daniel  and  Sally  S.  (Taylor)  Mansfield,  of  Lynnfield,  Mass., 
namely,  Esther  W.  Mansfield,  who  served  as  a  teacher  of  much 
distinction  in  the  public  schools  of  the  city  of  Boston  for  the 
period  of  more  than  thirty- three  years,  and  received  many 
public  testimonials  of  the  appreciation  of  superintendent, 
supervisors,  school  committee,  and  parents  of  the  pupils  under 
her  care  and  instruction. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oilman  make  Lynnfield  their  residence. 

Gowing  is  a  name  that  was  one  of  the  first  in  Lynnfield, 
and  till  of  late  has  always  been  here ;  and  although  the  name 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  1 99 

is  gone,  still  the  descendants  remain.  It  was  one  of  the 
prominent  families  for  generations.  Daniel  Gowing  used  to 
be  a  favorite  name  for  generation  after  generation,  but  John, 
Gideon,  Joseph,  and  Nathaniel  are  readily  to  be  found  as  hav- 
ing lived  here. 

More  than  one  hundred  years  ago  what  is  now  known  as 
the  Cox  farm  used  to  be  the  Joseph  Gowing  Tavern,  and  the 
old  house  is  still  standing  and  occupied.  Beside  this,  Willow 
Castle  was  built  more  than  two  centuries  ago.  An  ancient 
Gowing  house  stood  on  land  now  of  John  S.  Flannigan,  another 
where  the  Bryant  house  now  is  or  near  it,  another  where 
F.  P.  Russell's  store  is,  and  one  in  the  east  part  of  the  town. 

The  only  remaining  representatives  of  this  once  numerous 
family  in  Lynnfield  are  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Gowing  Skinner,  who 
has  deservedly  many  warm  friends,  and  her  two  sons,  Fred 
and  Edwin  O.  She  is  the  wife  of  Mr.  Otis  W.  Skinner,  a 
thrifty  farmer  and  worthy  citizen. 

The  Harts  were  among  the  very  first  families  who  settled  in 
this  place,  and  the  crossing  of  the  road  near  their  early  home 
is  still  known  as  "  Hart's  Corner."  They  were  noted  for  their 
firmness,  etc.,  a  trait  their  descendants  still  possess.  The 
name  of  Endicott  was  early  brought  into  this  family,  and 
is  still  worn  by  their  descendants.  The  grant  of  land  that 
they  occupied  was  miles  in  extent. 

The  old  Hart  house  stood  near  the  one  now  occupied  by 
John  Bryant,  and  was  torn  down  in  the  early  part  of  this  cen- 
tury, after  having  been  inhabited  by  colored  people  and  used 
to  put  hay  in.  The  orchard,  the  cow  yard  and  pig-sty  were 
at  least  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  house.  Several  Hart 
houses  have  been  built  on  the  original  grant. 

The  people  of  this  name  have  been  always  ready  to  go  at 
their  country's  call,  and  have  had  the  reputation  of  being  val- 
iant soldiers. 

Ex-Mayor  Thomas  N.  Hart  is  a  descendant  of  one  of  these 


200  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

families,  having  been  born  in  Lynnfield.  The  Hart  and  Tapley 
families  and  the  Smiths  intermarried  with  each  other.  We 
find  among  them  the  solid  old  names  of  John,  Zerubbabel, 
Ebenezer,  in  great  plenty. 

The  Harts  still  remain  in  town.  Frank  Hart,  our  town  treas- 
urer and  collector  of  taxes,  is  a  descendant  of  this  family, 
others  are  Eben.  Parsons  and  Henry  E.  Smith.  It  is 
thought  that  the  first  settler  here  was  named  Isaac.  The 
ancient  cabinet  taken  with  the  governor's  chair  is  marked 
"  T.  H.,"  and  is  supposed  to  mean  Thomas  Hart,  and  it  is 
dated. 

The  well-known  name  of  Hawkes  has  belonged  to  Lynn- 
field  ever  since  the  settlement  of  the  town,  and  the  southwest 
part  has  always  been  their  home.  About  a  year  ago  George 
L.  Hawkes  sold  the  ancestral  acres  and  removed  to  Wakefield. 
They  were  not  far  from  the  first  Hawkes  house  built  at  North 
Saugus  in  1629,  where  the  two  hundred  and  fiftieth  anniver- 
sary was  celebrated  in  1879.  At  that  time  the  writer  could 
reckon  more  than  one  hundred  persons  who  were  descended 
from  Adam  and  Eve  Hawkes.  The  families  have  at  one  time 
and  another  held  many  important  offices  in  precinct,  district, 
and  town.  Hon.  Nathan  M.  Hawkes,  a  noted  lawyer  of 
Lynn,  and  who  is  well  known   in  other  places,  was  born  here 

George  L.  Hawkes,  above  mentioned,  was  a  selectman,  and 
represented  the  town  in  the  Legislature.  Sarah  P.  Hawkes. 
also  lived  here,  but  a  few  years  ago  moved  to  New  Hampshire, 
where  she  died. 

Hon.  Nathan  Mortimer  Hawkes  was  born  in  the  house  on 
the  historic  Tarbell  place  in  Lynnfield,  Nov.  i,  1843.  He 
happened  to  be  born  there  because  his  father  inherited  the 
farm  from  his  Tarbell  ancestors.  His  parents  were  Nathan  D. 
and  Tacy  Pratt  Hawkes,  who  were  both  natives  of  that  part 
of  Lynn  which  a  few  years  afcer  their  birth  became  Saugus. 
The    Tarbell    place    was     part    of   the    land    which    Adam 


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OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  20I 

Havvkes,  the  immigrant  Englishman,  left  to  his  American-born 
descendants. 

Mr.  Hawkes  attended  the  public  schools  of  Lynn,  and 
graduated  at  the  Friends'  School  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  in 
1 86 1.  He  immediately  began  to  read  law  in  the  office  of 
Perry  &  Endicott  in  Salem,  and  on  his  twenty-first  birthday, 
the  first  day  of  November,  1864,  on  motion  of  Judge  Endi- 
cott, he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Essex  County.  He  has 
since  pursued  the  practice  of  his  profession.  From  1867  to 
1879  ^^  ^^s  special  justice  of  the  Lynn  police  court.  In 
1869,  1870,  187 1,  and  1872  he  was  a  member  of  the  com- 
mon council  of  Lynn,  during  three  of  which  years  he  was 
president  of  that  body ;  also  a  member  of  the  school  com- 
mittee, and  a  trustee  of  the  public  library. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  General  Court  for  four  years,  1875, 
1876,  1877,  and  1878,  and  a  member  of  the  State  Senate  in 
1879.  He  is  at  present  a  member  and  secretary  of  the  Lynn 
Park  Commission.  In  1887  and  1888  the  Boston  /^erord  pub- 
lished a  series  of  sketches  entitled  ''The  Best  Town  to  live 
In."  Mr.  Hawkes  showed  his  interest  in  his  native  town  by 
contributing  one  setting  out  the  charms  of  Lynnfield.  He 
has  published  a  work  entitled  ''  In  Lynn  Woods  with  Pen  and 
Camera,"  1893. 

The  Essex  Institute  has  printed  his  ''  Gleanings  relative  to 
the  Family  of  Adam  Hawkes,"  and  "  Semi-Historical  Ram- 
bles among  the  Eighteenth-Century  Places  along  Saugus 
River."  Among  his  published  addresses  are  "  An  Address  at 
the  Dedication  of  the  new  Town  Hall  at  Lynnfield,  Jan.  28, 
1892,"  "Annual  Address  delivered  before  the  Essex  Agri- 
cultural Society  at  Haverhill,  Sept.  21,  1893,"  "  A  Memorial 
Address,  James  Robinson  Newhall,  delivered  before  the  Lynn 
Press  Association,  Jan.  17,  1894,"  and  "An  Historical  Ad- 
dress delivered  before  Bay  State  Lodge,  No.  40,  I.  O.  O.  F., 
at  its  Fiftieth  Anniversary,  March  6,  1894." 


202  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Essex  Institute  and  of  the  New 
England  Historic-Genealogical  Society. 

Mr.  Hawkes  is  the  hoider  in  fee  of  one  bit  of  real  estate  in 
Lynnfield  which  has  to  him  a  peculiar  interest.  It  is  the 
little  enclosure  which  contains  the  tomb  wherein  are  deposited 
the  mortal  remains  of  some  of  his  kin,  including  his  great- 
grandfather, Jonathan  Tarbell,  a  Danvers  minuteman,  who 
was  on  Lexington  Green  on  the  19th  of  April,  1775. 

John,  son  of  John  Hewes,  of  Boston,  was  brought  to  Lynn- 
field  when  a  child.  He  married  Anna  Wellman,  and  died 
Feb.  14,  181 7,  and  was  the  fatherof  John,  Jacob  W.,  Benjamin, 
James,  Joel,  Elijah,  and  Joshua.  Excellent  portraits  of  the 
father  and  mother  are  still  preserved  by  their  descendants. 
The  western  burial  ground  contains  the  ashes  of  many  by  the 
name  of  Hewes,  so  that  it  has  been  called  the  Hewes  burymg 
ground.  Six  monuments  in  it  have  been  placed  there  by 
persons  of  this  family. 

David  Hewes,  son  of  Col.  Joel  Hewes,  of  California,  en- 
tertained President  Grant  on  a  visit  to  that  State.  He  also 
furnished  the  golden  spike  driven  at  the  finishing  of  the 
Pacific  Railroad.  His  brother,  Charles  W.,  was  a  Baptist 
clergyman  in  California  at  the  time  of  his  death,  while  his 
sister  Ruth  was  the  mother  of  Rev.  Granville  C.  Abbott,  a 
native  of  North  Reading,  and  now  a  resident  of  California. 

Hon.  Orrin  Hewes,  of  Lynn,  is  also  a  grandson  of  the 
patriarch ;  and  Miss  Mary  C.  Hewes,  who  married  William  L. 
Peabody,*  and  died  at  Omaha,  Neb.,  was  a  granddaughter. 
Miss  Mary  W.  Hewes,  the  accomplished  Lynnfield  Centre 
organist,  for  several  years,  is  a  great-granddaughter. 

The  Hewes  family  are  remarkable  for  their  enterprise, 
public  spirit,  and  patriotism. 

*A  graduate  of  Dartmouth  College,  class  of  1856.  In  1873  he  was 
elected  judge  of  probate,  Omaha,  Neb. 


X 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  203 

Joshua  and  James  have  both  been  shoe  manufacturers  in 
this  their  native  town.  The  latter  went  to  Cahfornia  in  1849, 
while  both  have  held  many  offices  of  trust  in  town,  and  both 
have  represented  the  town  in  the  Legislature. 

This  book  contains  two  portraits  of  the  Hewes  family,  both 
of  whom  have  visited  California.  David  Hewes  is  at  the 
present  time  a  resident  there.  Both  were  born  in  this  town, 
and  were  cousins. 

James  Hewes  was  elected  to  the  convention  to  revise  the 
Constitution ;  represented  this  town  in  the  Legislature ;  a 
quarter  of  a  century  ago  was  school  committee,  etc.  His 
wife  was  Sarah  J.,  daughter  of  Bowman  Viles,  Esq.  His 
eldest  son,  John,  is  a  native  and  resident  of  this  town,  em- 
ployed at  the  custom  house,  Boston.  James  Hewes  died 
August,  1875,  aged  55  years. 

Rev.  Jacob  Hood,  eldest  son  of  John  and  Ruth  (Gould) 
Hood,  was  born  at  Topsfield,  Mass.,  Dec.  25,   1791,  and  was 
married    to   Sophia,  daughter  of   Daniel    Needham,  Esq.,  of 
Lynnfield,  June  i,  1820. 

For  many  years  he  was  a  teacher  in  Marblehead,  Salem,  and 
other  places.  For  about  a  quarter  of  a  century  he  was  a  dea- 
con in  the  South  Church,  Salem,  and  for  many  years  a  leader 
in  its  choir.  A  beautiful  silver  pitcher  is  still  in  existence 
that  was  presented  to  him  nearly  fifty  years  ago  in  appre- 
ciation of  his  services  in  the  line  beforementioned. 

When  he  was  sixty-eight  years  of  age  he  was  ordained  as  an 
Evangelical  Congregational  minister  at  Nottingham,  N.  H. ; 
and  he  was  acting  pastor  for  years  of  the  South  Church  in 
Lynnfield,  discharging  the  duties  in  a  most  faithful  man- 
ner. 

At  the  age  of  more  than  seventy  years  he  and  his  wife  re- 
turned to  Lynnfield  and  lived  there  till  their  decease,  both  greatly 
interested  in  everything  around  them.  He  served  on  the 
school  committee,  attending  to  its  every  detail. 


204  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN   ' 

He  was  a  great  help  to  the  pastors  of  the  church  in  this 
place,  and  was  loved  by  all.  He  died  merely  of  age,  February, 
1886  ;  and  Mrs.  Sophia,  his  wife,  November  of  the  same  year. 
They  sleep  in  Forest  Hill  Cemetery,  where  a  beautiful  monu- 
ment marks  their  resting  place. 

Their  children  are  Jacob  Augustine,  who  was  born  May  5, 
1822,  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College,  1844,  and  Union  Theo- 
logical Seminary  in  New  York  in  1849,  and  was  ordained  pastor 
of  the  church  at  Middleton,Jan.  2,1850,  dismissed  June,  1854. 
He  has  since  been  pastor  at  Pittsfield  and  London,  N.  H., 
and  is  now  a  preacher  at  Nebraska. 

Daniel  Needham,  second  son  of  Rev.  Jacob  Hood,  is  a 
professor  at  Rockford  Female  Seminary.  George  Henry  is  a 
well-known  business  man  of  Boston.  The  oldest  daughter 
was  the  wife  of  Lieut. -Col.  Henry  Merritt,  a  native  of  Marble- 
head,  where  he  was  born  June  4,  181 9.  He  belonged  to  the 
23d  Regiment  of  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  was  killed  at  the 
battle  of  Newbern,  N.  C,  March  14,  1862,  and  was  brought 
home  and  interred  in  Harmony  Grove,  Salem.  He  was  the 
father  of  Henry  Merritt,  of  Salem. 

Mrs.  George  C.  Bosson,  of  Reading,  is  one  of  his  daughters, 
mother  of  Judge  Bosson,  and  Albert  D.,  a  former  mayor  of 
Chelsea.  An  excellent  likeness  of  Rev.  Mr.  Hood  is  placed  in 
this  work.  Mrs.  Bosson  is  the  donor  of  the  fine  crayon  like- 
nesses of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hood  in  the  chapel  of  the  Centre 
Church. 

Rev.  and  Mrs.  Jacob  Hood  were  married  June  i,  1820,  by 
Rev.  Joseph  Mottey  at  this  town.  They  left  town  and  were 
gone  about  forty  years,  when  they  returned.  The  fiftieth  anni- 
versary of  their  marriage  was  celebrated  with  a  brilliant  golden 
wedding,  in  June,  1870. 

At  their  sixtieth  anniversary,  in  1880,  the  following  poems 
were  received,  besides  other  kind  remembrances  :  — 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  205 

J.  H.  — S.  N.  H. 

June  i,  i 820-1 880. 

"  And  what  is  so  rare  as  a  day  in  June?"' 

The  poet's  numbers  flow; 
And  so  sung  the  birds  to  a  lively  tune, 
One  morning  the  very  first  of  June, 

Just  sixty  years  ago. 

All  nature  caught  the  glad  refrain 

And  joined  the  merry  chime; 
Flowers  lent  their  sweetness  to  the  strain, 
The  tall  grass  waving  on  the  plain 

Nodded  in  perfect  time. 

Oh  !  what  is  so  rare  as  this  happy  day  ? 

They  carolled  forth  in  pride; 
For  with  light  step,  expectant,  gay. 
The  youthful  bridegroom  comes  this  way 

To  claim  his  bonny  bride. 

May  all  their  days  be  as  rare  as  this. 

Although  never  was  one  so  rare, 
Their  path  so  filled  with  flowers  of  bliss 
That  no  rude  thorn  or  serpent's  hiss 

Find  place  of  lurking  there. 

Oh,  ne'er  before  in  all  earth's  bowers 

Trilled  sweeter,  clearer  lay 
Than  that  sung  by  birds  and  flowers. 
Through  all  the  joyous,  sunny  hours. 
Of  that  rare  summer  day  ! 

Full  threescore  years  have  passed  since  then. 

And  yet  with  song  as  sweet 
They  come  to-day  in  joy  again, 
From  many  a  vale  and  wooded  glen. 

This  wedded  pair  to  greet. 


306  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

They  sing  of  buried  hopes  and  fears, 

To  music  soft  and  low, 
Of  love  that  is  not  dimmed  by  years, 
But  bright  and  brighter  still  appears, 

As  life's  flame  flickers  low. 

They  sing  of  lives  well  spent  and  true, 

Of  deeds  of  duty  done, 
Of  hearts  filled  with  the  heavenly  dew 
Of  loving  kindness,  pity  too 

For  every  erring  one. 

Then  in  rich  liquid  notes  and  clear 

Of  social  joys  they  tell. 
Of  many  friends  and  children  dear, 
Who  now  are  met  with  song  and  cheer 

Love's  duties  to  fulfil. 

Anon  the  tones  increase  in  might. 

Then  softly  die  away, 
Breathing  a  prayer  for  days  still  bright. 
Until  death's  hand  unveils  the  light 
Of  ever-perfect  day. 

M.  U.  Nash. 
Lynn  FIELD  Centre. 


The  following  lines  were  written  by  a  college  classmate 

TO  OLD  FRIENDS. 

A  rare  thing  in  these  days  appears, 

A  married  life  of  threescore  years. 

Much  rarer  such  a  one  attended 

By  all  the  pleasant  things  here  blended. 

So  with  congratulations  due. 

We  come  with  words  sincere  and  true. 

A  pleasure  'tis  indeed  to  see 

So  little  of  infirmity. 

So  much  of  health  and  healthfulness. 

And  a  full  competence  to  bless 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    ]\USS.  207 

With  those  whose  pilgrimage  is  made 
So  far  into  life's  ninth  decade. 
Yet  the  day  brings  (it  must  be  true) 
Something  of  sadness  with  it  too  : 
The  friends  of  sixty  years  ago, 
Few  of  them  linger  here  below, 
And  of  the  most  who  numerous  meet 
To-day  this  honored  pair  to  greet, 
The  friendship  certainly  must  date 
From  years  comparatively  late. 
Happy,  when  early  friends  grow  few, 
Are  those  who  find  both  new  and  true, 
Whose  love  and  sympathy  assauge 
The  sorrows  of  declining  age. 

My  knowledge  of  this  honored  man 

Some  forty  years  ago  began. 

He  leadeth  them  in  sacred  song, 

Skilled  teacher  too,  from  whom  a  throng 

Acquired  the  power  God's  praise  to  sing 

(Not  few  on  high  now  worshipping). 

Then  to  the  pulpit  from  the  choir 

He  rose,  if  'tis  a  station  higher. 

And  there  successive  years  was  heard, 

A  faithful  preacher  of  the  word, 

Till,  his  days  greatly  multiplied. 

He  deemed  it  wise  to  step  aside. 

But  not  less  to  his  Master  true. 

Whether  in  pulpit  or  in  pew. 

Still  constant  in  the  place  of  prayer, 

Contributing  his  full  share; 

And  teacher  of  a  Bible  class, 

In  usefulness  these  late  days  pass. 

And,  with  his  estimable  wife. 

In  intercourse  of  social  life 

Shows  how  best  things  that  can  engage 

May  cluster  round  extreme  old  age. 

I  hope  and  trust  that  Lynnfield  Centre 
Appreciates  the  blessings  lent  her. 


2o8  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

Few  are  the  villages  that  could 

E'er  boast  of  such  a  neighbor  Hood. 

Though  Music's  daughters  are  brought  low, 

No  loud  song  from  his  lips  can  flow. 

His  very  presence  here  by  grace 

Is  benediction  to  the  place, 

Calm  waiting  call  to  join  that  choir 

Whose  strength  ne'er  fails  and  voices  never  tire. 

With  respect,  G.  T.  D. 

Reading,  June  i,  1880. 

Dr.  Thomas  Keenan  died  Jan.  17,  1865,  aged  sixty-one 
years.  Dr.  Keenan  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  for  many 
years  a  successful  surgeon  in  the  English  army.  Having  lost 
his  health,  he  came  to  America.  Thinking  to  pursue  his  for- 
mer vocation,  he  resolved  to  settle  in  the  most  healthy  town 
in  the  State,  and  in  looking  over  a  report  found  the  town  of 
Lynnfield  stood  the  highest  on  the  list.  About  ten  years  be- 
fore his  death  he  settled  at  the  south  part  of  Lynnfield,  nearly 
opposite  the  shoe  manufactory  of  Clarence  Moulton.  There 
he  lived,  though  a  great  sufferer  from  heart  disease,  and  proved 
himself  to  be  one  of  the  most,  if  not  the  most  skilful  physician 
in  the  vicinity.  In  religion  he  was  an  Episcopalian.  He  had 
an  invalid  daughter,  to  whom  he  was  one  of  the  kindest  of 
fathers.  His  wife  died  about  a  year  before  himself.  He  had 
a  son,  Thomas,  who  enlisted  in  the  war  as  private,  and  after- 
ward became  lieutenant  and  captain.  He  was  wounded  in 
the  neck.  The  wound  afterwards  burst  open,  causing  his  death. 
He  had  other  children  married  and  residing  out  of  this  town. 
The  father,  mother,  and  son  are  all  buried  in  the  South  burial 
ground,  the  doctor  being  borne  thither  by  twelve  citizens  of 
the  town,  at  his  own  request. 

At  the  town  meeting  in  March  after  his  death  the  follow- 
ing resolutions  were  offered  by  Gen.  Josiah  Newhall,  and 
unanimously  adopted  ;  — 


o 


JOHN  M.   DANFORTH,  ESQ. 


OF   LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  209 

"  Death  of  Dr.  Keenan.  The  citizens  of  Lynnfiekl,  having  heard 
with  much  regret  of  the  decease  of  one  of  their  most  valued  citizens, 
Dr.  Thomas  Keenan,  desire  to  express  in  a  public  manner  their  regard 
and  respect  for  his  memory  at  their  annual  town  meeting;    therefore, 

"  Resolved,  That  in  the  decease  of  Dr.  Keenan  the  people  of  Lynn- 
field  have  sustained  a  serious  loss.  Coming  among  us  several  years  since 
from  a  foreign  land,  he  had  by  his  skilful  practice  as  a  physician  and  sur- 
geon gained  the  confidence  and  trust  of  his  fellow-citizens,  as  also  of  the 
community  at  large. 

"  Resolved,  That  we  not  only  esteem  his  memory  as  a  physician,  but  also 
his  zeal  for  the  welfare  of  his  adopted  country. 

^^ Resolved,  also,  That  as  a  mark  of  respect  to  his  memory  these  reso- 
lutions be  recorded  in  the  town  records. 

"  Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  the  foregoing  resolutions  be  sent  to  the 
family  of  the  deceased." 

Sydney  Yelverton,  youngest  daughter  of  the  late  Dr. 
Thomas  Keenan,  died  at  Boston,  Feb.  2,  1868,  aged  twenty- 
eight  years,  of  paralysis. 

Capt.  Thomas  Keenan  died  at  Winchester,  Mass.,  and  was 
brought  to  Lynnfield  and  buried  in  the  South  burying  ground 
with  his  parents. 

Among  those  of  a  past  generation  well  known  here  in  her 
youthful  days,  we  recall  the  name  of  Mrs.  Emily  P.  Lesdernier, 
whose  sister's  home  was  hers.  She  married,  and  became 
the  mother  of  several  children.  Owing  to  adverse  circum- 
stances, the  duty  and  pleasure  of  maintaining  her  three  children 
devolved  upon  herself,  which  was  heroically  done.  She  as- 
sumed her  maiden  name.  She  has  written  books  in  prose 
and  poetry  which  have  met  with  favor,  and  we  copy  from 
her  ''  Voices  of  Life,"  issued  in  1853,  some  lines  from  a  poem 
entitled  "  My  Island  Home  "  :  — 

"My  Island  Home,  fond  love  for  thee 
Still  trails  along  my  memory; 

The  dim  old  notes  resounding. 
While  freighted  argosies  of  thought 
The  heart's  rich  pearls  with  the  past  inwrought, 


2IO  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

O'er  the  billowy  swell  are  bounding. 
With  the  hum  of  years 

In  the  roll  of  time, 
My  childhood's  tears, 
My  restless  prime. 
And  the  plaintive  knell 
Of  the  sad  soul  bell 
From  the  wreck  all  my  hopes  surrounding. 

"  The  wild  waves  kiss  your  rugged  cliffs, — 
Cliffs  of  my  native  shore; 
The  lashing  tides  against  your  breast 

Their  wrathful  surges  pour; 
Your  huge  gray  tops  the  dank  mists  crown 

When  reign  the  fog  king's  band. 
And  a  foaming  crest  veils  Neptune's  frown 
As  he  roars  along  the  strand; 
But  the  sunbeams  creep 
And  with  victor  sweep 
Falls  the  dispelling  ray, 
And  the  shadowy  hosts 
Like  pallid  ghosts 
Melt  in  an  hour  away. 

"  Then  smile  the  pretty  bluebells 

O'er  all  the  rifted  slopes. 
Clinging  with  graceful  sweetness, 

Types  of  innocent  young  hopes. 
And  all  around  is  beauty, 

And  all  above  is  light, 
While  far  down  in  the  deep  sea's  cave 

Sings  the  pale  water  sprite; 
As  that  pensive  *  Ula-lula  '  floats. 

The  white  gull  stoops  her  wings 
And  with  a  weird-like  motion 

To  the  briny  swell  she  swings; 
Poised  like  a  thing  enchanted. 

She  rocks  upon  the  wave 
As  that  pensive  '  Ula-lula '  floats 

From  out  the  deep  sea's  cave." 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  211 

Mrs.  Lesdernier  was  a  dramatic  reader,  and  was  warmly 
received  in  this  role.     She  was  a  native  of  Eastport,  Me. 

The  Lynnfield  Mansfields  are  descendants  of  Robert  and 
Elizabeth  Mansfield,  who  settled  in  Lynn  about  1640,  and 
were  supposed  to  have  come  from  Norfolk  County,  England. 
Among  their  children  were  Andrew,  which  has  been  a  favorite 
name  ever  since.  There  is  residing  on  the  Andrew  Mansfield 
place  an  Andrew  Mansfield,  born  Aug.  26,  1883.  The  father 
of  the  same,  with  whom  he  resides,  was  born  in  the  house  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  where  his  father  was  born  also 
of  the  name  of  Andrew,  said  house  being  built  by  the  last  An- 
drew's father,  whose  name  was  Andrew.  The  last-named  Andrew 
was  born  in  Peabody  near  the  line  of  Peabody  and  Lynnfield. 
The  Mansfield  family  have  a  silver  mug  which  it  is  said  has 
been  the  property  of  ten  Andrew  Mansfields. 

The  family  came  to  this  region  from  Lynn  about  1730; 
and  probably  the  old  house  near  the  line  of  the  two  towns,  still 
inhabited  by  Mansfields,  is  about  that  age.  The  house  near 
Law's  shoe  factory  was  one  of  the  former  Mansfield  houses, 
and  the  old  Ramsdell  house,  that  was  torn  down  last  year  to 
give  place  for  a  new  one,  was  a  Mansfield  house,  as  also  was 
the  house  at  the  corner  near  Lakefield  Park. 

Another  name  that  never  seems  to  wear  out  is  Daniel. 
Two  of  this  name  were  deacons  of  the  church  here.  The 
first  lived  during  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  took  an  active 
and  patriotic  part  in  the  proceedings.  He  was  a  man  so  well 
liked  that  many  of  his  friends  named  their  sons  for  him. 
One  of  these  namesakes  was  Rev.  Daniel  Mansfield,  son  of 
his  cousin  Andrew,  born  at  Lynnfield,  Aug.  24,  1807.  He 
is  further  noticed  among  the  collegiates  of  Lynnfield.  His 
son,  Ezra  Abbott,  died  at  Hyde  Park. 

Andrew  Mansfield,  a  brother  of  Rev.  Daniel,  filled  many 
offices  of  trust  in  this  town.  He  died  Dec.  17,  1869,  aged 
sixty-eight  years  three  months.    His  sons,  Andrew  and  Albert, 


212  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN 

have  followed  in  the  same  good  old  way,  and  the  former  is 
at  the  present  time  one  of  the  selectmen  of  this  town. 

William  Mansfield  lived  in  the  house  at  the  corner  of  Summer 
and  Walnut  Streets,  had  a  very  large  family,  among  them  Dr. 
Joseph,  Dea.  Edward,  Schoolmaster  Elbridge,  since  of  Wake- 
field. 

Gen.  Lemuel  R.  Draper,  of  Hopedale,  married  a  sister  of 
Daniel  Mansfield,  who  was  born  in  this  town  and  is  still  living, 
her  name  Lydia.  Esther  W.  Mansfield  and  Judge  Stephen 
Oilman  were  married  Aug.  7,  1881. 

What  was  said  of  the  Adams  family  of  Quincy  may  be  said 
of  the  Mansfield  family  of  Lynnfield  :  "They  were  distin- 
guished for  piety,  humility,  simplicity,  prudence,  patience, 
temperance,  frugality,  industry,  and  perseverance." 

Of  Rev.  Mr.  Mottey  one  of.  his  parishioners  writes  in  a 
newspaper  article  :  — 

"  I  now  propose  to  say  something  about  a  man  whom 
I  had  in  mind  in  placing  the  headlines  to  this  article,  but 
I  fear  I  shall  be  unable  to  do  anything  like  justice  in 
attempting  to  portray  the  character  of  so  distinguished  an 
individual  as  the  late  Rev.  Joseph  Mottey.  He  was  a  very 
distinguished  man  in  many  ways,  and  his  personal  appear- 
ance) would  be  sure  to  attract  attention  in  a  crowd  of 
strangers.  He  had  a  rather  swarthy  complexion,  and,  as  I 
recollect  him,  was  of  somewhat  more  -than  medium  height, 
with  a  compact,  symmetrical  frame,  and  an  abdominal  protu- 
berance which  might  call  to  mind  the  description  of  Shake- 
speare's Justice  :  — 

'  In  fair  round  belly  with  good  capon  lined.' 

His  natural  step  was  rather  slow,  with  an  erect  posture,  or 
rather  more  than  erect,  for  he  seemed  to  lean  a  little  back- 
ward as  he  walked.  This  gave  him  a  somewhat  majestic  ap- 
pearance, and  also  important, .  though  there  appeared  to  be 


o 

J> 
It" 

M 

!ZJ 

fed 

W 

o 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  213 

nothing  of  pride  or  haughtiness  in  his  character.  He  was 
distinguished  for  punctuaUty  in  all  his  appointments.  In  this 
connection  I  recollect  hearing  one  aged  man,  Mr.  Elias  Rich- 
ardson by  name,  make  the  remark  that  '  when  Mr.  Mottey 
died,  all  order  died  with  him.'  This  remark  was  elicited  by 
a  want  of  punctuality  in  those  engaged  to  supply  the  place 
of  Mr.  Mottey,  after  his  decease.  So  exact  was  he  in  his  visits 
to  the  sick,  that  sick  people  knew  what  day  to  expect  him,  as 
also  what  hour  of  the  day,  and  would  be  prepared  to  receive 
him  accordingly.  He  was  a  man  of  very  tender,  sympa- 
thetic, and  withal  of  very  sensitive  tendencies,  and  was  quick 
to  '  show  fire  '  when  occasion  called  for  it.  Here  is  a  case 
in  point.  One  day  while  going  to  visit  a  sick  person  he  had 
occasion  to  pass  by  the  house  of  a  man  who  kept  four  dogs, 
but  who  thought  he  was  too  poor  to  keep  a  pig.  These  four 
dogs  came  rushing  from  the  house,  howling  like  a  pack  of 
wolves,  with  the  apparent  intention  of  devouring  the  aged 
man.  He  managed  to  keep  them  off  with  his  cane  till  the 
owner  can.e  and  called  them  off,  when  Mr.  Mottey  stepped 
up  to  him,  took  him  by  his  coat  collar  and  gave  him  what 
one  of  your  contributors  calls  '  a  regular  Scotch  blessing,' 
advising  him,  among  other  things,  to  take  some  other  way 
to  raise  his  pork  than  to  keep  four  dogs.  What  effect  the 
use  of  a  carnal  weapon,  together  with  some  salutary  advice, 
had  upon  the  dog  owner,  I  cannot  say,  but  after  that  when 
dogs  were  heard  to  bark  near  his  house,  some  wag  would  say, 
*  There  is  the  poor  man's  pork.'  Underlying  the  more  seri- 
ous and  contemplative  character  of  Mr.  Mottey  there  was  a 
vein  of  humor  or  wit,  which  would  occasionally  come  to  the 
surface,  and  made  a  harmless,  yet  effective  argument  with  an 
opponent.  The  following  incident,  as  related  by  hifnself 
will  explain  what  is  here  meant.  A  young  couple,  who 
were  about  to  be  married,  made  an  evening  call  upon 
him  with  the  evident  intention  of  trying  to  convince  him  of 


2  14  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

what  they  conceived  to  be  an  error  on  some  doctrinal  point. 
They  commenced  an  argument,  and  then  the  young  man, 
more  readily  to  bring  the  matter  to  a  close,  took  Mr.  Mottey's 
Bible,  opened  it  to  a  passage  in  one  of  St.  Paul's  epistles, 
which  he  thought  was  a  '  sure  clincher  '  for  his  side  of  the 
case,  and  offering  it  to  Mr.  Mottey,  said,  '  Here,  read  what 
St.  Paul  says  about  it.'  Mr.  Mottey,  instead  of  taking  the 
book,  simply  remarked,  '  Oh,  I  have  read  many  times  over 
all  that  St.  Paul  has  said  about  it,  and  St.  Paul  also  says  it  is 
good  for  a  man  not  to  touch  a  woman.'  The  happy  pair  gave 
a  downcast  look  long  enough  to  take  their  natural  blush, 
dropped  the  subject  of  polemic  theology  for  that  evening  at 
least,  and  spent  the  remainder  of  the  evening  talking  on  other 
subjects.  But  Paul  or  no  Paul,  this  did  not  prevent  their 
coming  to  him.  shortly  afterward  to  have  the  nuptial  ceremony 
performed,  and  since  that  time  they  have  reared  a  large  and 
worthy  family  of  sons  and  daughters,  who  are  engaged  in  va- 
rious pursuits  in  different  parts  of  the  country.  The  parent 
pair  came  to  Lynnfield,  the  native  place  of  one  of  them,  and 
spent  the  closing  years  of  their  long  and  useful  lives. 

*'  Another  small  affair,  but  one  in  which  he  was  greatly  in- 
terested for  a  time,  goes  to  show  how  easily  his  thin-skinned 
sensitiveness  was  affected.  There  stood  near  his  house,  at 
one  time,  two  or  three  of  those  once  fashionable  and  orna- 
mental trees  known  as  Lombardy  poplars.  The  limbs  of  one 
of  these  trees  came  within  a  few  feet  of  his  study,  where  he 
wrote  his  sermons.  On  one  of  these  limbs,  so  near  his  win- 
dow, a  pair  of  robins,  after  examining  carefully  the  different 
places,  decided  to  build  their  nest.  He  noticed  all  the  move- 
ments of  these  birds  while  the  nest  was  being  built,  from  the 
placing  of  the  first  straws  to  its  final  completion,  and  then,  to 
give  his  own  words,  '  the  birds  were  married.'  The  daily 
blue-shelled  deposits,  by  the  mother  bird,  he  also  noticed. 
All  the  movements  during  incubation  and  the  rearing  of  the 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  215 

young  brood  till  they  were  fall  fledged  and  ready  to  leave 
their  nest  were  noticed  and  described  with  great  particularity. 
In  fact,  he  was,  in  a  measure,  obliged  to  notice  them,  as  they 
could  not  go  to  or  from  the  nest  without  drawing  his  attention. 
In  the  sequel  to  this  bird  story  there  was  an  exciting  episode, 
for  as  soon  as  the  fledglings  left  their  nest  the  '  necessary 
cat,'  watching  her  opportunity,  '  gobbled '  up  one  of  them, 
and  went  trotting  into  the  house  with  it.  Quick  as  a  flash  the 
aged  minister,  with  his  uplifted  cane,  went  for  the  cat,  but 
he  did  not  let  '  the  sun  go  down  on  his  wrath,'  nor  the  cane 
on  his  cat,  for  after  a  few  moments'  reflection  he  concluded 
that  robins  were  made  for  cats  as  well  as  cats  for  robins,  or 
rather  to  prey  upon  them,  and  it  was  only  the  execution  of 
one  of  nature's  laws,  and  so  his  wrath  subsided. 

"  He  was  much  in  the  habit  of  walking  wherever  his  duties 
called  when  the  distance  was  not  more  than  two  or  three  miles. 
On  one  occasion,  when  he  had  agreed  to  exchange  pulpits  with 
the  late  Rev.  Reuben  Emerson,  as  Mr.  Mottey  had  no  horse, 
Mr.  Emerson  proposed  going  to  Lynnfield  in  season  for  Mr. 
Mottey  to  take  his  horse  and  carriage  and  return  with  them 
to  Lynnfield  after  the  services  were  closed,  and  so  avoid  the 
journey  on  foot  for  either  of  them  ;  but '  No,'  said  Mr.  Mottey, 
'  St.  Paul  says  "  that  every  man  shall  bear  his  own  burdens."  ' 
'  Yes,'  replied  Mr.  Emerson,  '  and  St.  Paul  also  says,  "  bear  ye 
one  another's  burdens."  '  '  Ah,  I  thought  you  would  say  that,' 
said  Mr.  Mottey,  '  but  I  choose  to  walk.' 

"  It  would  seem  that  his  religious  views  were  in  some  respects 
modified  after  preaching  some  twenty  years  or  more ;  no- 
ticing this,  one  of  his  parishioners,  in  conversation  with  him, 
remarked, '  I  don't  think  you  preach  just  the  kind  of  doctrine 
that  you  did  when  you  first  came  here.'  '  Well,'  replied  the 
venerable  man, '  I  have  been  studying  and  reading  and  preach- 
ing for  thirty  years,  and  if  I  had  made  no  progress  in  knowl- 
edge in  all  that  time,  I  should  have  been  a  very  dull  scholar ; 


2l6  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

and  if  I  should  study  and  preach  for  thiriy  years  more  and 
make  no  advancement  in  knowledge,  I  should  still  remain  a 
very  dull  scholar.'  But  that  he  was  a  scholar,  and  a  ripe  and 
good  one  too,  and  one  eminent  in  his  profession,  is  evinced  by 
the  fact  that  the  Faculty  of  Harvard  College  were  about  to 
confer  on  him  the  honorary  D.  D.,  and  would  have  done  so  had 
he  not  died  a  few  weeks  previous  to  the  usual  time  for  bestow- 
ing such  honors,  and  Harvard  is  not  in  the  way  of  conferring 
them  where  they  are  not  merited. 

"  Mr.  Mottey's  style  of  writing  was  plain,  terse,  comprehensive, 
and  well  adapted  to  the  understanding  of  those  who  listened 
to  him.     This  opinion  of  his  style   of  writing  is   formed  by 
reading  the  only  published  discourse  of  all  of  his  writings  for 
more  than  forty  years,  with  the  exception  of  a  part  he  took  in 
the  ordination  of  a  minister  in  a  neighboring  town.     The  dis- 
course referred  to  was  on  the   occasion  of  the  establishment 
of  peace  with  England  in  the  year  1815,  a  time  of  great  re- 
joicing, as  all  who  remember  it  can  testify.     His  manner  of 
preaching  was  earnest,  entreating,  persuasive,  pathetic,  and  at 
times  very  affecting,  especially  when  dwelling  on  themes  having 
a  tendency  to  excite  the  emotions  of  his  audience,  such  as  the 
Saviour's  passion  in  particular,  and  others  of  a  kindred  nature. 
His  intense  sympathy  was  such   that  more  than  once  I  have 
seen  him  so  affected   by  the  subject  he  was  dwelling  upon  as 
to  be  almost  unable  to  proceed  with  his  discourse.    His  voice 
would  tremble  and  he  would  speak  in  a  sort  of  half-crying  tone 
and  be  for  some  minutes  unable  to  recover  his  usual  manner 
of  speaking.     He  made  no  attempt  at  gesticulation  or   high- 
flown  oratory. 


"  His  sermons  were  for  the  most  part  lengthy,  sometimes 
lasting  more  than  an  hour,  tiring  the  patience  of  the  children 
who  would    be    gathered   in    that  old  church  with  no   stove, 


% 


GEORGE  E.  HERRICK. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  2  1'J 

fireplace,  or  any  means  of  warming  except  the  old-fashioned 
foot  stove  with  a  few  coals  in  it,  which  some  of  the  v/omen 
would  carry  with  them  to  keep  their  feet  from  freezing  on 
cold  winter  days  when  the  mercury  would  stand  at  zero  or 
below,  and  '  no  postponement  on  account  of  the  weather '  in 
those  days.  I  remember  on  a  very  cold  day,  after  listening  to 
one  of  his  long-drawn-out  sermons,  a  young  miss  of  twelve 
years,  being  too  young  to  appreciate  the  wholesome  lessons 
from  the  pulpit  and  impatient  for  the  end  of  the  long  sermon, 
when  it  came  with  the  words,  '  Let  us  pray,'  came  near  '  speak- 
ing right  out  in  meeting,'  and  saying  in  a  loud  whisper,  '  I 
should  think  'twas  time.' 

"  A  peculiar  trait  of  his  character  was  that  he  was  a  monoga- 
mist, and  held  to  being  but  once  married,  and  in  this,  as  in 
other  matters,  his  faith  and  works  coincided ;  for  having  been 
married  once  and  having  had  five  children,  surviving  them 
all  save  one,  and  surviving  also  his  wife,  reputed  to  have 
been  a  very  worthy,  lovely,  and  much  respected  woman,  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  some  twenty-five  or  thirty  years, 
I  think,  in  the  unmarried  state. 


"In  matters  of  economy  he  set  a  good  example.  With  a 
salary  of  $300  and  a  family  which  must  at  times  have  been 
expensive,  he  could  not  well  live  otherwise  than  prudently, 
though  it  should  be  remembered  that  money  in  his  day  had 
a  greater  purchasing  power  than  at  present.  He  was  heard 
to  say  that  by  not  keeping  a  horse  he  had  saved  enough  in 
the  course  of  nineteen  years  to  build  his  house,  which  is  now 
owned  and  occupied  by  Judge  Nash. 

"  Mr.  Mottey,  after  a  long  pastorate  of  nearly  forty-one  years, 
a  term  equal  to  more  than  two  thirds  the  sum  total  of  the 
terms  of  all  who  since  have  followed  him  in  the  ministry,  ten 
in  number,  died  on  the  ninth  day  of  July,   1821.     Of   the 


2l8      •  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

fourteen  who  have  been  ordained  in  Lynniield,  he  was 
the  only  one  who  died  while  engaged  in  the  ministry 
there,  with  the  exception  of  Mr.  Adams,  his  immediate 
predecessor. 

"  He  seemed  to  be  sensible  that  his  end  was  near,  and  said 
that  if  it  was  God's  will,  it  was  his  that  it  should  be  his  last 
sickness,  and  gave  some  special  directions  with  regard  to  his 
burial.  He  did  not  choose  those  of  his  own  cloth  for  bearers, 
according  to  the  more  modern  custom,  but  requested  that 
four  indigent  men  should  be  the  bearers  of  his  lifeless  body 
to  its  final  resting  place,  which  was  but  a  few  rods  from  his 
house,  and  that  they  should  be  paid  an  adequate  sum  for 
their  services,  I  think  it  was  a  dollar  for  each  of  them. 
Another  direction  which  he  gave  was  a  most  grievous  dis- 
appointment to  his  daughter  and  many  others :  it  was  that 
all  his  sermons,  more  than  three  thousand  in  number,  which 
had  been  preserved  up  to  that  time,  should  be  burned.  His 
daughter  and  only  surviving  child,  the  late  Mrs.  Henry  Ban- 
croft, was  very  anxious  to  save  a  few  of  them  as  keepsakes 
and  for  her  own  perusal;  but  no,  filial  duty  prevailed  over 
all  other  considerations,  and  they  were  all  committed  to  the 
flames. 

"  What  were  Mr.  Mottey's  motives  in  thus  disposing  of  his 
work  of  nearly  a  lifetime  can  only  be  left  to  conjecture. 
We  may  infer,  however,  that  he  did  not  mean  to  have  his 
writings  hawked  about  and  criticised,  and  perhaps  garbled 
and  distorted,  for  the  benefit  or  gratification  of  religious  dis- 
putants. So  anxious  was  Mrs.  Bancroft  to  obtain  a  single 
item  of  all  her  father's  writings,  that  learning  I  had  a  copy  of 
the  discourse  referred  to  in  this  article,  she  came  to  me  nearly 
forty  years  after  her  father  died  to  borrow  it. 

"  Much  more  might  be  written  and  other  anecdotes  related 
about  this  man,  but  I  must  bring  this  already  too  lengthy 
article  to  a  close  by  summarily  saying  of  Mr.  Mottey  that  he 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  219 

was  a  kind  husband,  an  affectionate  parent,  a  faithful  friend, 
a  social  companion,  a  good  man,  and  a  true  Christian  minister. 

'And  in  a  word,  far,  far  behind  his  worth 
Come  all  the  praises  that  I  now  bestow, 
He  was  complete  in  feature  and  in  mind, 
With  all  good  grace  to  grace  a  gentleman.'  " 

HuMFREY  Lake. 

Judge  Stephen  Gordon  Nash,  a  prominent  lawyer  of  Bos- 
ton, judge  of  the  Superior  Court  of  Massachusetts  from  1855 
to  1859,  was  born  at  New  Hampton,  N.  H.,  April  4,  1822  ; 
son  of  John  and  Abigail  Ladd  (Gordon)  Nash.  He  fitted 
for  college  at  the  literary  institution  in  his  native  place.  He 
entered  Dartmouth  College  in  Hanover  at  the  age  of  sixteen, 
graduating  in  the  largest  class  that  ever  left  the  institution,  that 
of  1842.  After  leaving  college  he  was  professor  of  ancient 
classics  at  New  Hampton  one  year,  commencing  in  1843. 
He  was  principal  of  Noyes  Academy  one  year  in  Franklin, 
N.  H.,  1845  ^^^  1846;  he  read  law  with  Judge  George 
W.  Nesmith,  —  in  the  latter  year  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
Boston.  In  1855  he  was  a  candidate  for  speaker  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  having  been  elected  to  that  house 
as  a  representative  from  Boston.  Being  thirty-three  years  of 
age,  the  same  year,  he  was  appointed  justice  of  Suffolk  Supe- 
rior Court,  where  he  remained  four  years,  and  where  he  was 
regarded  as  talented,  just,  and  of  a  superior  mind.  When 
the  Superior  Court  and  that  of  Common  Pleas  were  merged 
together,  he  retired  from  the  bench  to  attend  to  his  large  and 
increasing  practice. 

He  made  a  trip  to  Europe  in  1859,  and  on  his  return  was 
married  at  Wakefield  to  Miss  Mary,  daughter  of  Edward  and 
Betsy  Upton  of  that  place,  Feb.  21,  1861.  Two  sons  were 
born  to  them,  named  Arthur  Upton  and  Gordon,  both  of 
whom  died  before  their  father.     In   1872   he  purchased  the 


2  20  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

fine  homestead  in  Lynnfield,  where  his  widow  still  lives. 
He  and  his  wife  made  another  visit  to  Europe  in  1883. 
While  on  the  journey  he  wrote  the  following  poem,  which  was 
read  at  his  funeral :  — 

"  Sailing  northward,  sailing  northward, 
Towards  the  realm  of  cold, 
Gives  to  me  a  chill  sensation 
As  of  growing  old. 

"  Sailing  northward,  veering  northward, 
On  this  restless  sea, 
Winds  grow  cooler,  billows  colder, 
Ice  is  on  our  lea. 

"  Sailing  northward,  veering  northward, 
On  the  sea  of  life, 
Hearts  grow  chilly,  love  is  colder. 
With  the  toil  and  strife. 

"  Sailing  northward,  veering  northward, 
Glory  dims  its  fires. 
Riches  lose  their  charm  and  splendor, 
'  Glowing  hope  expires.' 

"  But  as  we  sail  northward,  northward. 
Suns  increase  their  sway, 
Till  the  crimson  flush  of  evening 
Meets  the  dawn  of  day. 

"  So  as  we  veer  northward,  northward. 
May  life's  sunset  ray 
Mix  its  last  beams  with  the  sunburst 
Of  the  eternal  day. 

"  Yes,  as  veering  northward,  northward, 
Eve  and  morning  kiss, 
So  may  death  be  but  a  brightening 
To  a  dawn  of  bliss." 

Judge  Nash  and  his  gifted  wife  enjoyed  his  colonial  home 
in  this  place.     He  had  one  of  the  largest  private  libraries  in 


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OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  221 

the  country,  and  presented  seventy-two  hundred  books  to  the 
literary  institution  of  his  native  town,  with  a  fund  for  the  ad- 
dition of  books,  and  to  build  a  fireproof  library  building, 
which  will  be  a  fitting  tribute  to  his  worth,  and  a  monument 
of  his  love  for  his  native  town. 

Judge  Nash  died  at  his  home  at  Lynnfield  Centre,  where  he 
had  lived  twenty-two  years,  in  1894,  after  an  illness  of  only 
five  days,  of  pneumonia,  aged  seventy- two  years.  He  was 
buried  at  Lakeside  Cemetery,  Wakefield. 

The  families  of  Newhalls  are  the  most  numerous  in  this 
vicinity  of  any  name,  viz.,  Lynn,  Lynnfield,  Saugus,  and  Pea- 
body.  The  first  was  Thomas  Newhall,  one  of  the  first  settlers 
of  Lynn.  His  grandson,  Joseph,  setded  at  the  south  part  of 
Lynn,  and  was  born  Sept.  22,  1658.  He  married  Susanna 
Farrar,  1678.  They  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children: 
Jemima,  b.  Dec.  31,  1678 ;  Thomas,  b.  Jan.  6,  1681  ;  Joseph, 
b.  Feb.  6,  1684  ;  Elisha,  b.  Nov.  20,  1686  ;  Ephraim,  b.  Feb. 
20,  1689  ;  Daniel,  b.  Feb.  5,  1691  ;  Ebenezer,  b.  June  3,  1693  ; 
Susanna,  b.  Dec.  19,  1695;  Benjamin,  b.  April  5,  1698; 
Samuel,  b.  March  9,  1700;  Sarah,  b.  July  11,  1704.  It  is 
said  that  this  was  the  Joseph  Newhall  who  perished  in  a 
snowstorm. 

We  will  now  mention  a  few  brilliant  names  of  this  worthy 
petligree,  which  fill  every  walk  of  life,  who  have  lived  in  this 
town. 

Asa  Tarbell  Newhall,  born  June  28,  1779,  and  died  Dec. 
18,  1850,  who  was  a  son  of  Asa,  born  Aug.  5,  1732,  who  was 
son  of  Thomas,  born  Jan.  6,  i68i,  who  was  a  son  of  the  Joseph 
mentioned  above,  was  known  as  Squire  Newhall,  a  man  of 
great  enterprise  and  one  often  quoted  at  the  present  time. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1820, 
was  a  senator  in  1826,  and  a  representative  in  1828.  His 
wife  was  Judith  Little  of  Newbury,  Mass.  He  had  a  family 
of  children,  among  them,  James  Newhall,  M.  D.,  of  Lynn, 


2  22  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

and  his  brother,  Thomas  B.  Newhall  of  the  same  city.  He 
died  at  Lynn,  leaving  a  son,  James  S.  Newhall  of  Lynn,  and 
a  daughter. 

Gen.  Josiah  Newhall  was  born  in  1794.  At  the  last  meeting 
of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society  held  in  Boston, 
the  following  resolutions,  prepared  by  Francis  H.  Appleton, 
Esq.,  of  Peabody,  were  unanimously  adopted  :  — 

"  Resolved,  That  in  preparing  a  last  token  of  respect  to  the  memory  of 
Gen.  Josiah  Newhall,  who  died  at  Lynnfield  at  the  advanced  age  of 
nearly  eighty-six  years,  Dec.  26,  1879,  and  offering  expressions  of  the  loss 
this  society  sustains  in  being  deprived  of  his  usefulness,  his  example,  and 
his  genial  companionship,  we  must  also  recall  his  earlier  days  and  hearty 
efforts  when  a  firm  foundation  was  being  laid  for  this  now  prosperous 
society.  Gen.  Newhall  was  from  its  first  enthusiastically  and  actively 
interested  in  all  that  pertained  to  its  foundation,  prosperity,  and  exhibitions. 
In  horticulture  and  agriculture  he  was  ambitious  to  originate  and  im- 
prove various  kinds  of  fruit,  and  was  always  an  earnest  worker  in  every- 
thing relating  to  the  cultivation  of  the  soil.  He  was  chairman  of  the 
school  committee  twenty-two  years,  and  was  the  first  representative  from 
his  town;  he  served  in  the  War  of  1 81 2,  and  subsequently  in  the  State 
militia  under  President  Jackson;  he  held  office  in  Boston  custom  house. 
He  was  much  interested  in  astronomy,  and  kept  a  very  accurate  record  of 
the  weather  and  rainfall.  He  was  most  highly  esteemed  and  respected 
by  all  who  knew  him,  and  in  his  death  we  lose  a  member  whose  heart  was 
deeply  in  the  work  for  which  this  society  was  formed,  and  one  whose 
actions  were  always  directed  towards  its  welfare.  We  shall  remember  him 
for  his  love  of  honor  and  integrity,  and  his  interest  in  all  that  was  for  the 
good  of  the  community  and  this  society  in  particular." 

Gen.  Newhall  married  Miss  Rachel  Bancroft,  and  they 
had  a  large  family  of  children,  but  two  of  whom  survived 
him.  He  was  buried  in  Willow  Cemetery,  which  was  once  a 
part  of  his  farm.  A  tasty  monument  marks  the  place  of  his 
rest.  His  farm  has  passed  into  the  hands  of  entire  strangers, 
his  wife  having  died  before  him.  During  his  long  connection 
with  the  public  schools  he  was  greatly  interested  in  them, 
and  to  the   pupils   of  those   times  his  reports  are  reminders 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  223 

of  the  epoch  in  which  they  were  written.     A  portrait  of  him 
is  found  in  this  book. 

The  Newhalls  owned  a  large  tract  of  land  formerly  a  part 
of  Mr.  John  Humphrey's  grant,  which  was  purchased  by 
Joseph  Newhall  of  Ezekiel  and  Sarah  Needham  in  1679,  and 
ever  since  they  have  been  large  landholders  in  this  place. 

The  South  school  district  used  to  be  called  "  Newhall 
ward,"  and  the  South  burying  ground  "Newhall  burying 
ground,"  no  doubt  because  of  the  great  number  of  that  name 
who  occupied  them.  They  seemed  to  have  considerable 
military  taste  or  else  were  very  patriotic,  as  we  find  general, 
lieutenant,  ensign,  captain,  colonel,  etc.,  as  titles. 

Hon.  Asa  Tarbell  Newhall  is  a  grandson  of  Hon.  Asa  T. 
Newhall,  born  in  1779.  He  was  born  Dec.  25,  1850,  in 
Lynnfield.  Both  he  and  his  grandfather  were  interested  in 
the  Essex  Agricultural  Society,  and  both  havx  given  addresses 
before  it.  He  is  an  ex-mayor  of  Lynn,  and  for  his  fidelity  at 
the  great  fire  a  few  years  ago  was  re-elected. 

History  informs  us  that  Joseph  Newhall  was  buried  at  Lynn, 
where  he  went  to  worship,  and  that  there  his  gravestone  may 
be  seen.  It  is  also  said  that  each  of  his  eleven  children  sur- 
vived him. 

Daniel  Newhall  was  a  son  of  Joseph,  and  history  also  informs 
us  that  his  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Allen  Breed.  She  died 
suddenly  Jan.  i,  1775,  aged  eighty-six,  leaving  eleven  children, 
sixty- six  grandchildren,  and  thirty-two  great-grandchildren. 

Frank  Newhall  is  one  of  Lynnfield's  highly  esteemed 
selectmen. 

The  Newhalls  were,  like  other  noble  old  families  we  could 
mention,  eminently  patriotic. 

Daniel  Needham,  Esq.,  was  a  native  of  Danvers,  now  Pea- 
body,  and  born  in  a  house  still  standing.  His  wife  Ede, 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Ede  (Upton)  Flint,  was  born  in  the 
same  town,  and  they  were  married   1783.     Her  father  was 


2  24  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN 

killed  at  the  head  of  his  company  at  Stillwater,  Oct.  7,  1777. 
Mr,  Needham  was  also,  as  his  tombstone  informs  us,  a  soldier 
of  the  Revolution.  He  and  his  wife  and  one  child  removed  to 
Lynnfield  and  settled  in  the  north  part,  on  what  was  then  the 
Townsend  farm  of  about  two  hundred  acres.  He  had  an  only 
son,  whose  name  was  David,  born  Feb.  8,  1794  ;  married  So- 
phia F.  Clark ;  and  died  March  29,  1827,  from  a  dreadful 
wound  inflicted  by  an  insane  man  while  at  work  chopping 
wood  near  his  home,  the  axe  entering  the  lower  part  of  the 
shoulder  blade  and  ending  the  life  of  great  promise  and  ac- 
tivity. One  daughter  of  his  is  still  living,  Mrs.  Caroline 
A.,  wife  of  Mr.  Jerome  Tyler,  at  Boston  Highlands.  A 
daughter  of  Mr.  Daniel  Needham  married  Rev.  Isaac  Willey 
of  Pembroke,  N.  H.,  a  Congregational  clergyman.  May  18, 
1826,  whose  name  was  Sally;  while  Sophia,  another  daughter, 
married  the  Rev.  Jacob  Hood,  June  i,  1820. 

Mr.  Needham's  wife  died  of  a  fall,  April  27,  1840.  Among 
other  attributes  it  is  recorded  of  her  that  she  was  a  ''  very  en- 
ergetic woman,  salt  of  the  earth"  ;  and  he  died  Feb.  16,  1844. 
They  both  sleep  in  Main  Street  Cemetery. 

The  Perkins  family  have  for  generation  after  generation  been 
one  of  the  most  prominent  in  town  almost  from  its  early  settle- 
ment, and  the  farm  bearing  that  name  is  one  of  the  few  that  have 
been  held  by  the  same  family  for  more  than  two  hundred 
years.  John  seems  to  be  a  favorite  name.  Dr.  John  Perkins, 
born  March  9,  1698,  deserves  more  than  a  passing  notice. 
He  was  an  excellent  scholar  and  doctor  of  physic.  He 
practised  at  Topsfield,  Mass.  (where  probably  the  name  came 
from),  then  at  York,  Me.,  and  returned  to  Lynnfield  in 
1720.  In  1728  he  removed  to  Boston,  and  in  1732  went  to 
London.  He  returned  to  Boston,  and  practised  his  chosen 
profession  for  forty  years,  till  the  commencement  of  the  war 
of  the  Revolution,  when  he  again  came  to  his  native  town, 
where  he  died  and  was  buried,  Jan.  23,  1781.    He  published 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  225 

a  tract  on  "The  Causes  of  Earthquakes,"  and  left  several 
very  interesting  manuscripts ;  one  of  them  is  preserved  by 
the    Antiquarian    Society  at  Worcester. 

Beside  Dr.  John  Perkins,  John  Perkins  was  chosen  deacon 
of  the  First  Church  in  1796.  His  son  John  became  deacon  in 
1839.  His  son  John,  whose  portrait  is  here  given,  was  select- 
man, assessor,  overseer,  town  clerk,  representative,  and  many 
other  offices  were  filled  by  him,  and  he  died,  as  most  of  his 
kindred,  at  a  good  old  age  in  1893.  His  son,  John  H.,  inherits 
the  paternal  home,  where  still  dwells  his  mother ;  while  his 
son,  John  Winslow,  lives  upon  a  part  of  the  original  homestead 
with  his  little  son,  John  Perkins,  born  Sept.  18,  1893. 

Annie  Perkins  lived  on  this  estate  two  hundred  years  ago, 
and  Annie  Perkins  (wife  of  J.  W.  Perkins)  lives  there  now. 
The  last  named  is  a  poetess,  and  several  pieces  in  this  history 
are  her  contributions  to  the  age.  She  has  published  a  book 
of  poems  entitled  "Thoughts  of  Peace." 

The  wife  of  the  first  minister  of  Lynnfield,  Rev.  Nathanie 
Sparhawk,  was  Elizabeth,  a  sister  of  Dr.  John  Perkins. 
She  was  born  and  died  here. 

Rev.  John  Payson  of  Fitchburg,  and  Miss  Anna  Perkins 
of  Lynnfield,  were  married  Nov.  8,  1772. 

Adelia  J.  Perkins  and  Benjamin  F.  Clough,  M.  D.,  of 
Worcester,  were  married  Aug.  15,  1871. 

The  first  Ebenezer  Parsons  came  from  Leicester.  He  was 
descended  from  Rev.  David  Parsons,  born  at  Northampton, 
Mass.,  1679  ;  ordained  at  Maiden,  1700;  dismissed  May,  1721  ; 
installed  at  Leicester,  Sept.  12,  1721  ;  and  died  there  1735. 
He  had  a  son  Israel. 

Ebenezer  Parsons,  s  )n  of  Israel,  was  born  at  Leicester,  came 
to  Lynnfield,  married  Nabby  Smith.  They  had  a  daughter, 
Nabby,  who  married  Jacob  Wiley  of  this  place,  and  two  sons, 
Ebenezer  and  Israel  Augustus  ;  the  former  married  Mary  Hart, 
and  they  were  the  parents  of  Ebenezer  Parsons,  now  the  town 


2  26  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

clerk  of  Lynnfield ;  he  has  been  selectman  and  member  of  the 
school  committee,  also  he  conducted  the  services  of  the  First 
Congregational  Society  (Unitarian)  for  over  twenty  years. 

Israel  Augustus  married  Emily  Wiley  of  Lynnfield,  and  had 
seven  children.  David  Frederic  lives  on  the  old  place ;  his 
wife  was  Julia  Swinerton  of  Danvers.  The  rest  are  gone  from 
town. 

Ebenezer  lives  on  the  farm  where  he  and  his  father  were 
born.  He  was  born  July  28,  1832.  He  married  March  24, 
1863,  Mary  Alvina  Dodge,  a  relative  of  Hon.  Nathan  Dane, 
who  gave  Dane  Hall  to  Harvard  College,  and  who  was  a  distin- 
guished jurist.  Mrs.  Parsons  has  been  a  contributor  to  several 
first-class  periodicals,  among  them  the  Atlantic  Monthly,  New 
York  Independent,  St.  Nicholas,  Wide  Awake,   etc. 

They  have  one  son,  Starr  Parsons,  a  successful  lawyer  of 
Lynn. 

"  John  Pearson,  son  of  John  and  Maudlin,  born  1650,  married 
Tabitha,  daughter  of  Dea.  Thomas  Kendall.  Their  children 
were  :  Tabitha,  born  about  1670,  married  1696  to  John  Good- 
win;  James,  born  1678,  married  1698  to  Hepsibah  Swain ; 
John,  born  and  died  1682  ;  John,  born  1684,  and  married  Eliz- 
abeth Batchelder ;  Rebecca,  born  1686;  Kendall,  born  1688; 
Susan,  born  1690,  married  17 10  to  Daniel  Gould;  Mary,  born 
1692,  married  to  Joseph  Eaton,  1709.  The  first  John  was  one 
of  the  first  seven  members  of  the  church  of  Reading 
(1644),  but  afterward  moved  to  Lynnfield,  where  he  died 
1679,  '"iged  64,  and  his  widow.  Maudlin,  1690.  They  had 
another  James,  born  1652."  * 

No  less  than  five  of  the  members  mentioned  in  the  first 
list  of  the  church  bore  the  name  of  Pearson ;  to  wit,  Eben- 
ezer, Jonathan,  Hepsibel,  Hannah,  and  Tabitha.  We  are 
pleased  to  add  that  the  descendants  of  the  above  are  still  with 
us,  residents  on  Chestnut  Street. 

*  History  of  Reading. 


f 


*~        (# 


GEOEGE    H.    S.    DRIVER 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  227 

William  R.  Roundy,  born  in  Lempster,  N.  H.,  Aug.  5, 
1825,  came  to  Lynnfield  when  about  twenty-one  years  of  age  ; 
married  for  first  wife,  Miss  Mary  A.  Richardson,  for  second, 
Miss  L.  Rebecca  Wellman,  both  of  this  town.  In  1873-74 
he  represented  the  town  in  the  Legislature ;  was  elected 
deacon  of  the  Centre  Church,  1887 ;  is  the  father  of 
the  Roundy  Brothers,  William  E.  and  George  M. ;  has  been 
sexton  almost  fifty  years,  was  town  treasurer  fourteen  years, 
and  is  a  man  who  has  a  host  of  friends. 

The  Russells  came  from  Peabody,  then  Danvers,  more 
than  a  century  ago.  Mrs.  Mercy  (Russell)  Swinerton  died 
1863,  aged  ninety-two  years.  She  kept  her  brother's  house, 
Mr.  Helon  Russell's,  and  he  died  a  few  weeks  before  her.  In 
their  fireplace  stood  two  firedogs  made  by  their  grandfather 
Wright,  of  Middleton,  more  than  a  hundred  years  before,  he 
being  a  blacksmith,  and  there  was  a  pair  of  small  tongs  with 
them  to  light  a  pipe  with. 

He  had  a  large  family  of  children,  among  them  Enoch 
Russell,  who  was  representative  to  the  Legislature  and  select- 
man; his  son,  Seth  H.,  was  also  selectman  at  a  later  period. 
A  brother  of  the  latter  was  the  father  of  triplets  in  1874 
(March  5),  a  girl  and  two  boys.  Levi  S.  Russell,  youngest 
son  of  Orin  Russell,  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  army,  and  is  still 
living  at  the  West. 

Levi  H.  Russell  built  the  store  now  owned  by  his  son, 
Francis  P.  Russell,  and  was  a  very  energetic,  public-spirited 
man.  He  was  born  in  Middleton,  and  died  in  Lynnfield 
Centre.  His  son,  Francis,  has  been  selectman,  assessor,  over- 
seer of  the  poor,  town  clerk,  school  committee,  etc.  Wilbur 
S.,  another  son,  is  cashier  of  a  bank  in  Boston. 

Joseph  Skinner,  the  husband  of  two  wives,  came  from  the 
patriotic  town  of  Acton,  Mass.,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  last 
century.  His  posterity  of  the  second  generation  was  very 
numerous.     One    of    the    race    reports   as    follows :    Samuel, 


2  28  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

twelve ;  William,  fourteen  ;  Betsey,  nine  ;  Marshall,  three  ; 
Jesse,  sixteen;  and  a  paragraph  taken  from  a  genealogical 
sketch  of  the  descendants  of  Thomas  Green  of  Maiden, 
Mass.,  reads  thus  :  "  Sarah,  daughter  of  Joseph  Skinner,  mar- 
ried Capt.  Josiah  Green  of  Stoneham."  He  then,  at  the  age 
of  sixty-four,  married  for  a  second  wife,  Aug.  23,  1799,  Sarah 
Skinner,  a  woman  twenty- two  years  of  age,  and  forty-two  years 
younger  than  himself.  When  he  married  her  he  told  her  that 
his  first  wife  had  borne  him  eight  children,  and  that  he  should 
expect  her  to  do  the  same.  She  fully  met  his  expectations, 
was  afterward  married  and  had  three  children  more,  so  that 
Joseph  Skinner  was  grandfather  to  more  than  threescore 
persons. 

Among  the  grandchildren  of  Joseph  Skinner  are  the  follow- 
ing :  John  Day,  Herbert  A.,  Joseph,  and  Charles  E. — have  all 
been  railroad  men,  three  of  them  have  been  conductors. 
Eliza  A.  married  Abram  Reynolds,  and  after,  Richard  H. 
Goodwin ;  and  Susan  J.  is  the  wife  of  xAbner  Towle  of  Lynn, 
where  she  still  lives.  These  all  belong  to  the  family  of  Mr. 
Jesse  Skinner.  Capt.  Samuel  Skinner  was  a  son  also  of  Joseph 
Skinner,  had  a  daughter,  Mary  J.,  who  was  the  wife  of  William 
A.  Whittredge  of  this  town ;  Eliza,  who  married  Josiah 
Mudge  of  Danvers ;  Charlotte,  who  is  the  wife  of  Edward 
Farrington  of  Lynn ;  and  the  sons  are  dead.  Capt.  William 
Skinner  had  a  daughter,  Sarah  S.,  who  married  George  F. 
Blake.  She  was  killed  on  the  railroad  in  1856;  and  he  mar- 
ried her  sister,  Martha  Jane.  They  reside  on  Commonwealth 
Avenue,  Boston  ;  he  was  a  successful  inventor.  Another  is  Otis, 
a  son  of  Capt.  William,  who  owns  a  farm  of  extended  acres  in 
the  east  part  of  the  town.  Although  the  families  have  been  very 
large,  still  very  many  members  thereof  have  passed  to  the 
bourne  from  whence  no  traveller  returns,  and  the  most  of 
them  have  left  their  native  town.  Wakefield  is  the  home 
of  some  of  them,  and  they  are,  like  other  families,  scattered. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  •  229 

Capt.  Samuel  Skinner  was,  for  a  generation,  the  undertaker 
or  sexton  of  Lynnfield,  and  laid  many  of  its  sons  and  daugh- 
ters to  rest. 

Asa  Goodell  Sheldon,  who  was  born  in  Lynnfield,  Oct.  24, 
1788,  wrote  his  autobiography.  At  that  time  he  had  moved 
to  Wilmington,  Mass.,  and  in  his  book  he  styles  himself  "  the 
Wilmington  farmer."  He  was  a  son  of  Jeremiah  Sheldon, 
who  was  a  son  of  Skelton  Sheldon,  who  was  a  son  of  Godfrey 
Sheldon,  a  clerk  in  Congress,  when  it  met  in  Philadelphia. 
His  mother  was  a  descendant  of  Gen.  Putnam,  of  Revolution- 
ary memory.  The  Sheldon  home  was  at  the  north  part  of  the 
town.  Asa  G.  Sheldon  died  at  Wilmington.  His  wife  was 
Clarissa  Eames,  and  they  have  children  and  grandchildren 
living  there. 

John  Smith  came  from  England  (the  precise  date  cannot 
be  ascertained)  and  settled  in  the  eastern  part  of  Massachu- 
setts, now  the  State  of  Maine.  It  was  in  a  region  greatly 
troubled  by  Indians,  and  they  committed  so  many  depreda- 
tions upon  him  that  he  resolved  to  betake  himself  and  family 
to  a  less  perilous  neighborhood.  Making  his  preparations 
quietly,  he  started  in  the  night,  and  journeyed  towards  Salem, 
settling  at  length  in  Danvers,  where  he  had  two  sons  born, 
Amos  and  Walter.  Walter  was  born  in  17 18,  and  Amos  in 
1724.  Later  the  family  removed  to  what  was  then  Lynn,  but 
is  now  the  northeasterly  part  of  Lynnfield.  In  those  days 
there  were  few  public  roads.  They  travelled  through  woods 
and  "  clearings,"  mostly  on  horseback,  by  paths  called  bridle- 
ways. 

Amos  Smith  married  Abigail  Hart.  After  the  public  highway 
leading  from  Reading  to  Salem  was  laid  out,  he  built  a  house 
thereon,  which  he  opened  as  an  inn. 

Taverns,  as  they  were  then  called,  were  much  needed  on 
account  of  the  slow  and  laborious  travelling  of  the  time, 
most  of  the  teaming  being  done  with  oxen.     It  was  said  that 


230  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

he  sometimes  put  up  as  many  as  fifty  oxen  at  a  time.  Jonathan 
(son  of  Amos)  had  a  son  Jonathan  H.,  the  father  of  Henry  E. 
Smith,  who  married  Mary  L.  Bassett,  and  lives  on  the  old  farm 
his  great-grandfather  cleared  and  cultivated.  There  is  a  new 
house  on  the  site  of  the  old  one,  and  near  by,  in  a  spot  "  beau- 
tiful for  situation,"  is  a  famous  cold  spring,  from  which,  as  has 
been  estimated,  there  is  an  average  flow  of  sixty  gallons  a 
minute. 

Rev.  Nathaniel  Sparhawk,  son  of  same  name,  was  born  at 
Cambridge,  Mass.,  1694  ;  graduated  at  Harvard  College,  17 15. 
He  was  ordained  first  pastor  of  the  First  Church,  Lynnfield, 
Aug.  17,  1720,  his  salary  being  seventy  pounds.  He  resigned 
after  a  pastorate  of  eleven  years,  July  i,  1731  ;  died  May  7, 
and  was  buried  in  the  old  burying  ground.  He  married 
1732,  Elizabeth  Perkins  of  this  town,  who  died  in  1768. 

Their  children  were  Elizabeth,  born  Dec.  28,  1 72 1  ;  Nathan- 
iel born  Sept.  24,  1725,  and  died  Dec.  11,  1728. 

His  son,  Edward  Perkins  Sparhawk,  A.  M.,  is  said  to  be  the 
first  person  born  in  Lynn  who  had  two  names  given  him. 
He  was  born  July  10,  1728;  graduated  at  Harvard  College, 
1753;  married  Mehitabel  Putnam,  1759,  vvho  died  Sept.  8, 
1778  ;  he  died  March  8,  1796,  aged  66  years.  He  had  calls 
to  settle  in  several  parishes,  but  accepted  none,  and  the  town 
records  speak  of  him  as  Edward  P.  Sparhawk,  A.  M.  Rev. 
Nathaniel  Sparhawk  resigned  his  pastorate,  July,  1731,  after 
eleven  years'  service,  and  died  May  7,  1732.  His  remains 
repose  in  the  old  graveyard  near  the  Centre,  and  the  original 
tombstone  is  still  plainly  seen  after  nearly  one  hundred  and 
sixty  years  of  storms  and  sunshine  have  fallen  upon  it. 

Tradition  says  that  previous  to  his  death  he  buried  a  pot 
of  silver  money  so  that  it  might  never  trouble  any  one,  and 
that  it  was  sought  for  many  times,  but  never  found. 

An  item  of  interest  may  be  mentioned  here.  A  sister  of 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Sparhawk,  Sybil,  daughter  of  Rev.  Mr.  Sparhawk 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  23 1 

of  Cambridge,  was  the  third  wife  of  Michael  Wigglesworth  of 
Maiden,  who  was  the  author  of  "  The  Day  of  Doom."  They 
had  one  child,  Edward,  who  was  probably  named  for  one  of 
his  relatives  in  this  place.  We  give  a  few  lines  from  the 
author,  for  the  pleasure  of  those  who  have  never  seen  the 
poem  :  — 

"  Light  in  darkness,  sick  man's  health, 
Strength  in  weakness,  poor  man's  wealth, 

In  confinement  liberty, 

In  solitude  good  company, 
Joy  in  sorrow,  life  in  deaths, 
Heavenly  crowns  for  thorny  wreaths, 
Are  presented  to  thy  view 
In  the  poems  that  ensue. 
If  my  trials  had  been  thine. 
They  would  cheer  thee  more  than  wine." 

The  family  of  Townsend,  all  of  whom  have  passed  from 
here,  where  they  lived  more  than  a  century,  deserves  an  honor- 
able mention  in  the  history  of  the  town.  The  farm  of  about 
two  hundred  acres,  containing  field,  wood,  meadow,  hill,  lake, 
brook,  huge  stone,  etc.,  was  at  the  northwest  part  of  the 
town,  was  a  small  fortune  in  itself,  and  was  sold  to  Daniel 
Needham  about  ninety-five  years  ago.  Dea.  Daniel 
Townsend  was  a  man  highly  prized  in  this  place  as  well  as 
in  the  church.  He  afterward  removed  to  Vermont.  His  son 
Daniel  was  born  at  the  farm  now  known  as  the  Needham 
place,  and  an  extended  account  is  given  of  him  in  another 
part  of  this  work.  At  the  present  time  the  Townsends  are 
all  residents  of  other  towns,  but  many  of  them  make  pilgrim- 
ages to  the  graves  of  their  ancestors,  and  feel  great  interest 
especially  in  that  of  Lynnfield's  Revolutionary  martyr,  whose 
resting  place  is  decorated  every  year. 

The  original  Uplon  place  was  in  West  Peabody,  not  a  great 
way  from  Lynnfield  line,  and  the  descendants  of  this  family 
have  settled  in  Lynnfield.     It  is  said  that  "  the  tradition  that 


232  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

John  Upton,  the  ])rogenitor  of  the  Upton  family  in  America, 
came  from  Scotland,  lingers  in  several  branches  of  the  family, 
particularly  in   the  oldest   branch,  that   of  Lynnfield." 

John,  son  of  John  and  Sally  Pool  Upton,  born  at  Lynnfield, 
Aug.  4,  1779,  married  Betsey  Wiley  of  South  Reading,  now 
Wakefield,  Feb.  20,  1805.  She  died  March,  1 819  ;  and  he 
married  Sarah  Wetherspoon  of  Londonderry,  N.  H.,  one  of  the 
descendants  of  the  Scotch  Irish  colony  which  settled  there 
in  1719,  who  came  from  Londonderry,  Ireland,  and  previously 
from  Londonderry,  Scotland.  On  the  town  records  he  is 
styled  ensign  and  then  captain.  He  was  a  representative  from 
Lynnfield,  at  one  time  its  town  clerk,  holding  many  other 
offices  in  the  town's  gift.  His  father,  having  had  two  wives, 
died  at  the  homestead  where  he  had  lived  so  long,  a  Revolu- 
tionary soldier.  After  his  father's  death  he  sold  his  property 
in  Lynnfield  and  moved  to  Derry,  N.  H.,  where  he  died  April 
4,  1853,  aged  seventy-three,  and  was  brought  back  here  and 
buried,  leaving  a  large  family,  all  of  whom  were  born  in  Lynn- 
field. They  were,  Sally  P.,  Laura  W.,  John,  Elizabeth,  Ann, 
George  Edwin,  Henry  Bingham.  John,  son  of  John  and 
Betsey  (Wiley)  Upton,  was  born  at  Lynnfield,  Dec.  17,  1808; 
married  Dec.  19,  1838,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Skinner  of  Wakefield,  then  Mary  H.  French  of  Deerfield, 
N.  H.  He  received  his  education  at  Middleboro  Academy, 
Mass.,  and  at  Madison  University,  Hamilton,  N.  Y.  He  was 
ordained  over  the  Baptist  Church  in  Chester,  N.  H.,  and  was 
also  pastor  of  the  churches  in  Hudson,  Londonderry,  Bedford, 
Weare,  and  Newton,  N.  H.,  Brewster,  Mass.,  and  Monmouth? 
Me.,  besides  supplying  at  Alna,  Me.,  and  Taunton  and  Read- 
ing in  this  State,  then  took  up  his  residence  at  Brentwood, 
N.  H.  His  brother,  George  Edwin,  born  at  Lynnfield,  was  a 
soldier  in  the  late  war.  He  enhsted  as  a  private  in  New 
Hampshire  Volunteers,  Co.  G,  6th  Regiment,  and  was  pro- 
moted to  first  lieutenant  in  the  same  regiment,  Co.   F ;   died 


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OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  233 

of  wounds,  July  31,  1864,  leaving  a  wife  and  children  at 
Derry,  N.  H.  Most  of  these  facts  are  from  the  "Upton 
Genealogy."  Henry  Bingham,  brother  of  two  preceding,  born 
at  Lynnfield,  Mass.,  Sept.  17,  1834,  was  a  teacher  and  removed 
West  in  1858.  He  engaged  in  the  study  of  medicine  in 
1864.  During  the  last  year  of  the  war  he  was  on  the  medical 
staff  of  the  army.  Jan.  28,  1867,  was  made  M.  D.  at  Rush 
Medical  College,  Chicago,  111.,  and  has  since  practised  at 
Osceola  in  the  same  State,  where  he  has  also  been  a  justice 
of  the  peace  and  notary  pubhc. 

The  Augustus  Upton  family,  who  used  to  live  in  this  town, 
were  distant  relatives  of  the  foregoing  family.  Mrs.  Mary 
Upton  Nash  is  of  the  same  stock,  and  is  a  well-known,  highly 
prized  resident  of  Lynnfield  Centre.     She  is  also  a  poetess. 

Bowman  Viles,  Esq.,  was  a  native  of  Lexington,  Mass. 
He  was  the  husband  of  three  wives,  the  first  of  whom  was 
Jerusha  Burnham,  and  the  father  of  twelve  children.  Both 
he  and  his  third  wife  died  suddenly.  He  was  a  man  of 
ardent  temperament;  in  theology  he  was  a  Unitarian.  At 
one  time  he  represented  this  town  as  a  Freemason  repre- 
sentative, and  was  also  elected  to  many  offices  of  trust.  He 
died  of  heart  disease ;  and  a  person  passing  Cherry  Mound, 
the  former  name  of  the  western  burying  ground,  sees  his 
tombstone  and  those  of  a  large  number  of  his  family  in  the 
front  of  the  yard.  He  had  warm  friends,  and  lived  at 
the  northwest  part  of  the  town.  Four  of  his  children  are 
living  at  the  present  time ;  but  one  of  them,  Mrs.  Sarah  J. 
Hewes,  lives  in  this  town.  His  sons  Joseph  and  Bowman  re- 
side at  West  Peabody ;  and  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Augusta  New- 
hall,  died  at  Lynn  in  1894. 

THE    WELLMANS. 

Tradition  says  about  the  time  of  the  settlement  of  Lynn 
three  brothers  sailed  from  Bristol,   England  ;  they  afterwards 


2  34  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

came  to  the  north  part,  now  Lynnfield,  and  settled  there. 
Their  names  were,  Isaac,  Thomas,  and  Abraham  WeHman. 
The  first,  Isaac,  after  remaining  a  short  time  here,  removed  to 
KilUngworth,  now  Chnton,  Conn.,  and  many  of  his  descend- 
ants still  live  there.  Thomas  and  Abraham  still  continued  to 
reside  at  Lynn  End.  Thomas  Wellman  purchased  a  farm,  Feb. 
17,  1653,  which  had  before  been  owned  by  John  Knights,  a 
mason,  who  afterwards  resided  at  Salem,  and  of  Ed.  Richards. 
The  deed  says  that  Thomas  Wellman  was  a  husbandman. 
A  part  of  the  farm  was  also  bought  for  eighty  pounds,  June 
10,  1674.  The  first  purchase  was  of  Dea.  Nicholas  Potter 
of  Lynn,  and  at  the  time  Ed.  Knights  lived  upon  it.  It  also 
had  meadow  and  marsh.  "  There  were  two  '  lotts '  of  sixty 
acres  each,  the  cost  twenty-six  pounds  sterling.  They 
were  bounded  southerly  by  land  of  Goodman  Talmage, 
easterly  by  ye  common,  westerly  by  the  river  that  comes  out 
of  Stone's  meadow." 

The  house  stood  on  a  hillside  a  short  distance  from  the 
dam  above  the  cider  mill  of  E.  F.  Gerry,  near  where  a  large 
elm  still  throws  its  grateful  shade.  The  house  stood  about 
one  hundred  and  seventy- five  years,  and  now  the  doorsteps 
and  cellar  are  all  that  are  left  of  the  old  habitation,  where  so 
many  have  lived  and  died.  One  hundred  and  more  years  ago 
the  relatives  used  to  visit  the  old  home  that  their  ancestors 
left  more  than  a  hundred  years  before  that. 

Thomas  Wellman  died  Oct.  10,  1672,  leaving  sons  and 
daughters.  He  also  left  a  large  cup,  supposed  to  have  be- 
longed to  a  communion  set,  which  he  wished  to  be  the  prop- 
erty of  Thomas  Wellman,  also  a  razor  hone  of  sea  wood 
petrified.  These  are  now  the  property  of  Thomas  B.  Well- 
man,  of  the  ninth  generation. 

Among  the  descendants  born  in  the  old  house  was  Rev. 
James  Wellman,  D.  D.,  born  May  10,  1728,  the  first  minister 
born  in  this  town.     He  studied  with  his  pastor,  Rev.  Stephen 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  235 

Chase;  graduated  at  Harvard  College,  1744,  being  sixteen 
years  of  age ;  was  ordained  at  Sutton,  Mass.,  over  the  Congre- 
gational Church,  Oct.  7,  1747,  where  he  remained  till  called 
as  pastor  at  Cornish,  N.  H.,  being  the  first  pastor,  Sept.  29, 
1769;  where  he  died  Dec.  18,  1808,  aged  eighty  years,  and 
his  descendants  many  of  them  remain  there. 

Another  was  a  soldier,  Stephen  Wellman  (the  historian 
says  of  the  party  who  went  from  this  region  at  that  time  that 
they  were  the  flower  of  Essex  County)  ;  he  was  killed  by  the 
Indians  at  Deerfield,  Mass.,  Sept.  18,  1675. 

Another  descendant,  George  W.  Wellman,  a  volunteer  in 
the  Mexican  War,  died  at  the  city  of  Mexico,  Feb.  25,  1848, 
aged  thirty-three  years. 

Rev.  Joshua  Wellman,  D.  D.,  a  descendant  of  Rev.  James, 
was  born  at  Cornish,  N.  H.,  Nov.  28,  1821  ;  married  Oct.  24, 
1854,  Ellen  Maria  Holbrook,  daughter  of  Caleb  Strong  and 
Prudence  (Durfee)  Holbrook  of  Holbrook,  Mass.  He  was 
prepared  for  college  at  Kimball  Union  Academy,  Plainfield, 
N.  H. ;  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College,  1846,  and  in  1851 
at  Theological  Seminary,  Andover ;  was  ordained  pastor  First 
Church,  Derry,  N.  H.,  June  18,  1851,  and  remained  there 
five  years ;  was  installed  at  Newton  Corner,  Mass.,  June  1 1^ 
1856,  remaining  seventeen  years  ;  installed  as  pastor  of  Maiden 
First  Congregational  Church,  March  24,  1874. 

His  son,  Arthur  H.,  born  Oct.  30,  1855,  is  a  talented  law- 
yer, and  has  represented  the  city  of  Maiden  in  the  Legislature. 

Rev.  James  Wellman,  D.  D.,  who  was  born  in  Lynnfield, 
May  10,  1728,  had  a  son,  James  Ripley  Wellman,  born  at 
Cornish,  who  was  deacon  of  the  church  in  that  place.  He 
had  a  son,  James  Ripley  Wellman,  born  there  July  27,  1829  ; 
graduated  at  Dartmouth  College,  Medical  Department,  1856  ; 
married  Louisa  H.  Wood  of  Fitchburg,  Mass.,  and  settled 
there  ;  was  very  earnest  in  his  profession,  and  from  overwork 
died    July  24,  186 1.     A    sister   of  his,  Aurilla    P.    Wellman, 


236  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

married  Dr.  Alfred  Hitchcock,  who  was  born  in  Westminster, 
Vt.,  Oct.  17,  1 8 13,  and  who  practised  in  Fitchburg,  Mass. 

A  history  of  the  Welhnan  family  was  published  in  1867  by 
James  Wellman,  at  Salem,  Mass.,  at  the  time  he  was  eighty- 
four  years  of  age.  At  one  time  there  were  five  Abraham 
Welhnans ;  at  present  the  descendants  are  settled  in  many 
places,  particularly  in  Maine,  New  Hampshire,  Connecticut, 
Ohio,  and  California,  and  the  writer  of  these  pages  is  the 
only  one  in  the  town  bearing  the  name,  although  he  has 
sisters  here  :  Sophia  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Nathaniel  Ross,  and 
Lydia  Rebecca,  wife  of  Wm.  R.  Roundy.  His  only  brother 
died   in  the  late  war,  May  30,  1863,  aged  twenty-three  years. 

The  author  of  this  book  was  born  in  Lynn,  Mass.,  Sept.  9, 
1838;  came  the  next  year  to  Lynnfield,  which  had  been  the 
home  of  his  ancestors  for  seven  generations.  His  father's 
name  was  Thomas  F.  Wellman  ;  his  mother  was  Sophia  Ruth 
(Reed)  Wellman.  He  has  a  sister,  Sarah  Louisa,  wife  of  Alfred 
G.  Carter  of  Reading. 

The  Whittredge  name  surely  claims  recognition.  About 
fifty-eight  years  ago  the  two  brothers,  William  A.  and  George  F. 
Whittredge,  came  from  their  birthplace  to  Lynnfield.  They 
were  young  men ;  they  occupied  the  building  now  a  dwelling- 
house  nearest  the  West  burying  ground,  which  forty  years  ago 
was  a  hive  of  industry.  We  remember  the  door  with  the  bell 
on  it  (bells  which  are  almost  as  scarce  as  cow  bells  now). 
Above  the  door  was  the  sign,  ''  W.  A.  &  G.  F.  Whittredge, 
W.  L  Goods  &  Groceries  "  ;  while  a  sign  above  in  the  form 
of  an  arch  informed  you  that  it  was  also  a  ''  Shoe  manu- 
factory," and  at  the  lower  part  of  the  arch  was  another,  "  Post 
Office,"  and  the  amount  of  work  done  in  this  building  was 
very  large.  Both  of  the  brothers  married,  bought  the  house 
once  known  as  the  Sparhavvk  house,  fitted  it  up  nicely,  and 
both   had  families  of  children. 

George  F.  afterward  removed   with  his  family  to  Concord, 


HON.   N.  M.  HAWKES. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  237 

N.  H. ;  while  William  A.  built  a  new,  large,  and  more  commo- 
dious shop  near  the  house,  which  at  the  present  time  is  a 
dwelling-house.  He  was  a  public-spirited  citizen  and  a  kind 
neighbor.  His  wife,  Mary  J.  (Skinner),  died  Nov.  20,  1885, 
some  years  after  her  husband,  and  both  are  buried  in  the  cem- 
etery close  to  their  former  home.  The  house  and  homestead 
have  just  been  sold,  so  that  there  is  not  a  person  of  the  name 
nearer  here  than  those  who  live  in  the  old  garrison  house  where 
the  two  brothers  were  born  in  North  Reading,  and  where  gen- 
erations of  the  Whittredges  have  lived. 

The  Ornes  came  to  Lynnfield  about  the  time  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. Col.  John  Orne  married  Pamela,  daughter  of  Rev. 
Caleb  Prentiss  of  Wakefield.  His  daughter,  Harriet,  married 
Hubbard  Emerson.  Mrs.  Pamela  O.  Starr,  another  well- 
remembered  daughter  of  his,  was  much  beloved  for  her  kind- 
ness of  heart  and  her  zeal  in  every  good  word  and  work. 

James  Woodward  was  the  son  of  John  and  Hepsibeth  Wood- 
ward, who  had  eight  children.  They  afterward  removed  to 
Wakefield.  One  of  the  eight  was  Thomas,  born  1773. 
Previous  to  the  removal.  Woodward's  tool  factory  stood  on 
Wills  Brook,  and  even  to  this  day  portions  of  the  dam  may 
be  seen.  This  mill  also  went  with  the  family  to  Wakefield, 
and  the  Thomas  above  mentioned  was  the  original  manu- 
facturer of  Woodward's  awls  and  many  other  improved  shoe 
tools,  also  a  tincture,  and  he  has  been  credited  as  the  in- 
ventor of  Emerson's  elastic  razor  strops.  He  died  i860,  aged 
eighty-seven  years ;  and  his  descendants  remain  in  Wakefield. 

Rev.  WiUiam  Chalmers  Whitcomb  was  a  son  of  Dea.  Simeon 
Whitcomb,  of  Marlborough,  N.  H.,  where  he  was  born.  He 
married  his  cousin.  Miss  Harriet  Lincoln  of  Concord,  Mass., 
and  they  were  the  parents  of  nine  children.  He  was  settled 
as  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Stoneham,  where 
he  remained  six  years.  He  afterwards  preached,  and  performed 
the    duties   of  the   pastoral   office   at   Globe  Village,  North 


238  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

Carver,  and  lastly  in  Lynnfield  Centre,  all  in  Massachusetts. 
Ever  after  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  was  ready  to 
do  all  in  his  power  for  the  honor  of  his  country  by  word  or 
pen,  and  in  the  summer  of  1862  was  commissioned  as  chap- 
lain at  Newbern,  and  afterwards  at  Morehead  City  in  North 
Carolina,  where  he  zealously  labored  for  the  good  of  the  soldier 
and  contraband  as  long  as  his  strength  would  admit.  He 
was  an  earnest  Christian,  an  energetic  man,  a  loving  husband, 
a  kind  father,  and  a  much- esteemed  friend,  never  shrinking 
from  toil  when  it  ought  to  be  done,  and  earth  contains  one 
the  less  of  noble  spirits.  Many  of  his  sermons  have  been 
printed,  and  now  remain  as  mementos  of  his  worth.  He 
contributed  for  many  years  articles  to  many  papers  in  the 
country,  and  used  to  say  that  "  brains  were  worth  as  much  as 
money."  A  large  number  of  his  relatives  were  soldiers  in 
the  Union  Army,  and  many  a  heart  was  saddened  to  learn 
that  he  had  passed  away.  After  his  death  he  was  generously 
remembered  by  his  former  people  here,  which  was  following 
the  example  set  by  him,  whose  heart  was  ever  ready  to  sym- 
pathize with,  and  assist  the  needy,  whose  benevolence 
was  almost  unexampled.  He  and  his  wife  were  relatives  of 
Ex-President  Lincoln.  Some  letters  of  his  in  this  work  will 
further  illustrate  his  character.  He  died  of  yellow  fever  at 
Morehead  City,  N.  C,  Oct.  25,  1863,  aged  forty-four  years. 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  239 


CHAPTER  XIII. 
Annals,  1800. 

"  On  the  nth  of  June,  1800,  Mr.  Samuel  Dyer,  a  gentle- 
man of  Boston,  was  drowned  in  Humphrey's  Pond  in  Lynn- 
field." 

"  1804.  One  of  the  greatest  storms  ever  known  in  New 
England  commenced  on  Tuesday  morning,  the  9th  of 
October.  The  rain  fell  fast,  accompanied  with  thunder.  At 
four  in  the  afternoon  the  wind  became  furious,  and  continued 
with  unabated  energy  till  five  the  next  morning.  This  was 
probably  the  severest  storm  after  that  of  August,  1635.  The 
damage  occasioned  by  it  was  very  great ;  buildings  were 
unroofed ;  barns,  chimneys,  and  fences  were  blown  down,  and 
orchards  greatly  injured.  .  .  .  Many  vessels  were  wrecked, 
and  in  several  towns  the  steeples  of  meeting-houses  were 
broken  off  and  carried  to  a  great  distance.  The  number  of 
trees  uprooted  in  the  woodlands  was  beyond  calculation. 
Thousands  of  the  oldest  and  hardiest  sons  of  the  forest, 
which  had  braved  the  storms  of  centuries,  were  prostrated 
before  it,  and  the  woods  throughout  were  strewn  with  the 
trunks  of  fallen  trees,  which  were  not  gathered  up  for  many 
years."  * 

1 81 8.  Herbert  Richardson  and  Charlotte  Palmer. — 
Seventy-seven  years  ago  an  occurrence  of  note  took  place 
worthy  of  a  chronicle  in  these  pages.     Herbert  Richardson,  a 


*  History  of  Lynn. 


240  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

son  of  Herbert  Richardson,  was  an  enterprising  and  sedate 
young  man.  Miss  Charlotte  Palmer,  formerly  of  Londonderry, 
N.  H.,  had  lived  in  a  brother's  family  for  about  eight  months. 
They  were  to  be  married.  She  went  home  to  prepare  for  the 
occasion.  When  it  was  time  for  her  to  come  back,  Mr.  Rich- 
ardson went  in  a  sleigh  to  bring  her  home.  When  he  started 
his  friends  noticed  how  unusually  gay  his  spirits  were.  He 
said  he  wanted  all  arrangements  made  before  he  left.  He 
arrived  at  Londonderry  on  Saturday,  and  everything  was 
packed  to  leave  on  Monday.  On  Monday  they  started,  and 
the  load  of  goods  was  taken  by  Miss  Palmer's  brother. 
They  came  to  a  tavern  in  Andover.  The  keeper  tried  to 
persuade  them  to  tarry  till  the  next  morning,  as  there  had 
been  rain  all  the  day  before,  which  had  thawed  the  snow  and 
swollen  the  streams  to  an  enormous  size.  The  gentleman 
thought  that  they  had  better  remain,  but  the  lady  thought 
otherwise,  and  they  passed  on.  In  about  an  hour  a  man  came 
down  to  the  bridge  of  the  Shawsheen  River  and  heard  some 
one  calling  for  assistance,  and  looking  around  saw  a  chaise 
bottom  side  up  in  the  river,  and  Miss  Palmer  had  floated  to 
a  tree.  He  told  her  he  "  could  not  help  her,  but  would  go 
back  and  get  some  help,"  which  he  did.  There  was  no 
house  near  the  bridge,  so  he  came  to  the  tavern  which  they 
had  left,  and  found  the  man  that  they  left,  harnessing  some 
horses.  The  messenger  says,  "  For  God's  sake  do  go  and 
help  that  poor  girl.  I  went  down  to  the  bridge,  and  a  woman 
was  out  in  the  stream  and  called  for  help."  The  man  took 
one  of  his  horses  and  went  down  to  the  river.  Arriving  there, 
no  one  was  to  be  seen.  The  river  had  risen  so  that  there 
were  two  streams  of  water  across  the  road,  and  it  was  sup- 
posed they  had  got  through  one,  and  while  crossing  the  other 
a  cake  of  ice  carried  them  off,  or  else  having  a  young  horse 
he  was  frightened  and  caused  the  upset. 

The  men  built  a  raft.     They  then  looked  around  and  saw 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  24 1 

something  like  a  duck  in  the  water.  They  rowed  to  it,  and 
found  it  was  the  pink  bonnet  of  Miss  Palmer.  They  lifted 
the  bonnet  and  found  it  was  on  her  head,  so  laid  her  upon  the 
raft.  While  doing  this  one  man  fainted  and  fell  on  the  raft. 
The  other  man  rowed  to  the  shore  with  the  two,  and  there 
found  another  man,  whom  he  asked  to  carry  Miss  Palmer  to 
the  first  house,  but  he  was  unwilling,  so  he  took  her  himself. 
As  he  was  going  into  the  yard  leading  to  the  house  he  said  to 
the  man,  "  Come,  lend  a  helping  hand  and  carry  this  woman 
into  the  house"  ;  but  the  man  said  he  "would  not  touch  her, 
for  the  law  would  take  hold  of  him."  His  wife,  who  was  in  the 
house  and  heard  him,  came  to  the  door  and  told  him  to  bring 
her  in.  She  threw  open  her  parlor  door,  and  every  means 
was  used  to  restore  her  to  life.  As  the  lady  of  the  house  was 
rubbing  her  she  said  to  her,  "  Poor  girl,  can't  you  tell  us  how 
this  happened?"  She  opened  her  eyes  and  smiled,  and  then 
died.  Word  was  sent  to  the  family  at  Lynnfield.  The  next 
morning  two  brothers  of  Mr.  Richardson  came  up  to  the 
river.  As  they  arrived  the  body  was  being  taken  from  the 
water.  The  river  had  been  dragged,  and  it  could  not  be 
found.  There  was  a  ditch  parallel  with  the  road.  Some  one 
said,  "  Look  in  the  ditch."  They  found  him  there.  It  was  sup- 
posed the  horse  struck  him  in  the  forehead  when  he  was 
thrown  from  the  vehicle. 

The  two  were  laid  out,  put  in  coffins  and  brought  home. 
Neighbors  offered  to  watch  with  the  bodies ;  but  the  father 
said,  "I  will  care  for  my  own  dead,"  and  through  the  night 
he  went  to  the  room  where  they  were  sleeping  and  where  the 
moon  shone  in  at  the  west  window. 

The  funeral  took  place  from  the  old  meeting-house,  and 
was  one  of  the  largest  ever  held  there,  the  house  was  so  crowded 
that  it  was  feared  the  galleries  would  break  down.  The  meet- 
ing-house at  that  time  had  three  doors  on  as  many  sides. 
The  main  door  was  at   the   south    side,  and  the    street    ran 


242  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

through  the  Common.  The  bodies  were  placed  one  each  side 
of  the  road.  An  impressive  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Mottey,  after  which  the  procession  moved  to  the  new  burying 
ground,  where  He  many  of  the  friends  of  the  deceased,  and  a 
watch  was  kept  for  some  time  after  over  the  double  sepulchre. 

1820.  Dr.  Martin  Herrick  died  July  10  of  this  year,  aged 
seventy-two,  in  a  house  at  the  extreme  north  part  of  the  town, 
known  as  the  "Tremont  House,"  which  was  burned  a  few 
years  ago.  Dr.  Herrick  was  a  very  skilful  physician,  in- 
deed some  of  his  friends  thought  that  they  should  never 
survive  another  sickness  after  he  was  gone.  His  wife  was 
Sally  Wright  of  Middleton,  by  whom  he  had  four  children, 
all  daughters,  three  of  whom  were  living  a  few  years  ago.  He 
was  once  a  school  teacher  in  this  town.  He  was  buried  with 
Masonic  honors  in  the  old  burying  ground  at  his  own  request, 
and  his  grave  is  near  the  gate. 

A  convention  of  delegates  assembled  at  the  State  House  in 
Boston  agreeably  to  a  law  passed  June  16  of  this  year  for  the 
purpose  of  revising  the  Constitution  of  Massachusetts.  Hon. 
Asa  T.  Newhall  was  the  delegate  from  Lynnfield.  A  journal 
of  the  proceedings  was  published  the  next  year.  A  copy  of  it 
was  presented  to  one  of  the  libraries  in  town. 

1827.     We  copy  from  a  newspaper  of  March  29  :  — 

"  At  Lynnfield,  Mr.  David  Needham,  aged  2^.     The  circumstances  at- 
tending the  death  of  Mr.  Needham  were  peculiarly  distressing.     He  was 
at  work  in  the  woods,  and  with  him  were  two  other  men,  one  of  whom 
was  a  deranged  man  by  the  name  of  Parker,  and  of  whom  he  was  in  no 
fear,  though  it  is  said  Mr.  Parker  has  at  various  times  threatened  to  injure 
him.     Mr.  Parker  and  the  other  man  were  splitting,  and  Mr.  Needham 
was  piling.      Mr.  Parker  raised  his  axe  with  the  apparent  intention  of 
splitting  a  log  that  was  lying  before  him,  when  suddenly  turning  on  his 
heel  he  smote  Mr.  Needham,  who  at  the  moment  was  stooping  down  to 
pick  up  wood.     The  axe  went  through  the   lower  part  of  the  shoulder 
blade,  passed  between  the  ribs  into  the  chest  and  made  an  incision  in  the 
right  lobe  of  the  lungs,  about  two  inches  in  length  and  one  in  depth.     He 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  243 

lingered  a  little  more  than  twelve  days  and  expired.  This  brief 
notice  of  the  circumstances  attending  Mr.  Needham's  death  is  written  with 
the  hope  that  it  may  prove  a  word  in  season  to  those  who  have 
in  their  employ  men  that  are  wholly  or  partially  deranged.  To  all  the 
voice  of  Providence  in  this  event  is,  '  Be  ye  also  ready,  for  in  such  an  hour 
as  ye  think  not  the  Son  of  man  cometh.'  " 

1835.  This  year  a  committee  was  chosen  to  consider  the 
expediency  of  purchasing  a  town  farm,  —  a  possession  which 
Lynnfield  has  never  had,  nor  has  it  ever  been  thought  need- 
ful. These  unfortunates  have  been  probably  as  well  cared 
for  as  in  other  towns,  being  boarded  out,  and  the  bill  for  them 
has  never  been  small,  yet  the  poor  farm  is  still  unbought. 

1837.  Lynnfield's  share  of  the  surplus  money  of  United 
States  revenue,  amounting  to  $1,328.29,  was  received  and 
apphed  to  the  town  debt.  The  20th  of  June  the  barn  of 
Hubbard  Emerson  was  struck  by  lightning.  One  of  the  oxen 
was  killed. 

1838.  John  Upton,  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  died  of  a  fall, 
May  3,  aged  ninety-one  years  and  a  half. 

1852.  The  first  church  bell  was  hung  in  the  steeple  of  the 
Evangelical  Congregational  Society  on  the  26th  of  November. 
Its  weight  is  ten  hundred  and  forty  pounds.  The  tone  is  good, 
B  flat.  Previous  to  this  time  no  public  bell  ever  pealed  forth 
over  these  hills  and  valleys,  except  the  factory  bell,  and  that 
had  been  cracked  for  many  years.  Since  then  Lynnfield  has 
not  lacked  for  its  warning  sound  when  a  fire  occurred,  for  its 
solemn  toll  when  funeral  rites  were  performed,  for  its  invit- 
ing sound  calling  to  church  service,  lectures,  etc.,  for  its  merry 
peal  when  victory  crowned  our  arms,  or  on  the  Fourth  of  July. 

1854.  The  cars  ran  on  the  Danvers  Railroad  in  this  town 
for  the  first  time,  Dec.  12.  A  picture  of  the  railroad  station 
is  given.     The  present  agent  is  Arthur  B.  Weld. 

1856.  On  the  9th  of  July  a  house  situated  at  the  corner 
of  Main  and  Lowell  Streets,  known  as  the  Smith   house,  was 


244  HISTORY   OF   THE    TOWN 

burned,  very  few  knowing  it  till  the  next  morning.  The  fire 
was  probably  the  work  of  an  incendiary,  as  there  were  no  persons 
living  in  it  at  the  time.  A  barn  was  burned  on  the  same 
place  a  few  years  before. 

1857.  The  Congregational  Meeting-House  at  Lynnfield, 
South  Village,  was  dedicated  this  year,  Nov.  18.  Dr.  Samuel 
Worcester,  of  Salem,  preacher.     Text,  Zechariah  iv.  6. 

1858.  A  most  excellent  select  school  was  kept  in  the 
town  hall  this  year,  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Jones,  formerly  of  Tops- 
field  Academy,  principal. 

1859.  The  Fourth  of  July  was  celebrated  in  a  novel  way 
this  year.  About  half  past  six  o'clock  the  horribles  made 
their  appearance,  from  which  the  cattle  ran  for  dear  life. 

Most  of  the  company,  about  forty  in  number,  rode  on 
horses  or  in  exceedingly  ancient  vehicles,  while  a  few  pedes- 
trians, whose  style  on  foot  was  quite  interesting,  passed  with 
the  company.  It  would  take  pages  to  describe  the  scarlet 
cloaks,  gray  wigs,  spectacles,  smallclothes,  and  antiquated  gar- 
ments of  these  queer-looking  people ;  but  the  play  was  well 
carried  out.  In  the  evening  at  the  fireworks,  as  if  to  carry 
out  the  morning's  exercises,  a  band  came  along.  Their  in- 
struments consisted  of  an  old  air-tight  stove,  sticks,  chains, 
and  bells,  so  fastened  that  they  made  a  hideous  noise. 
This  was  the  way  the  anniversary  of  independence  was  cele- 
brated, not  only  in  this  but  in  many  of  our  towns. 

Dec.  2.  John  Brown  hung  in  Virginia.  A  sad  event  in 
our  country's  history.  The  following  letters  passed  from  and 
to  this  town  on  that  account :  — 

Lynnfield,  Mass.,  Nov.  12,  1859. 
To  HIS  Excellency  Henry  A.  Wise. 

My  dear  Sir,  —  I  suppose  you  receive  many  letters  nowadays  with 
reference  to  John  Brown,  who  has  been  doomed  to  execution  on  the 
gallows  for  a  violation  of  Virginia's  laws.  Excuse  a  word  from  me.  I 
have  known  and  loved  that  infatuated  man;  and  though  I  do  not  approve 


M 
O 


I 


I 


mmssn 


OF   LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  245 

of  his  course  in  connection  with  the  Harper's  Ferry  raid,  yet  I  cannot 
bear  the  idea  of  his  being  put  to  death,  and  I  feel  it  impressed  upon  me, 
like  the  bidding  of  God,  that  I  must  write  a  pleading  letter  to  you^  yes, 
you,  dear  sir,  whom  not  having  seen,  I  have  loved  and  admired.  Do  not, 
oh,  do  not  let  that  most  noble-hearted,  though  strangely  misguided  old 
man  die,  if  it  be  in  your  power  to  prevent  so  dire  a  catastrophe  !  Pray, 
see  that  his  sentence  is  changed,  even  if  it  be  to  imprisonment  for  life,  and 
multitudes  will  rise  up  and  call  you  blessed,  handing  your  name  down  to 
immortality  as  a  generous  benefactor,  and  thank  you  forever.  But  "  a 
word  to  the  wise  is  sufficient."  Please  drop  me  a  line,  and  state  whether 
any  hope  at  all  may  be  cherished  for  John  Brown. 

Yours  truly  and  sincerely, 

WILLIAM  C.  WHITCOMB. 

Richmond,  Va.,  Nov.  17,  1859. 

J^ev.  Sir,  —  The  very  sympathy   with   John    Brown,  so   regardless   of 

social  safety,  so  general,  so  fanatical,  and  so  irreverent  of  the  right  of  law, 

demands  his  execution  if  sentenced  by  the  courts.     The  laws  he  insulted 

and  outraged  are  now  protecting  all  his  rights  of  defence,  and   all   his 

claims  for  mercy. 

Truly  yours, 

HENRY  A.  WISE. 

During  the  year  there  were  but  eight  deaths  in  town,  the 
oldest  eighty-two  years,  the  average  thirty-four  years. 

i860.  The  barn  of  Henry  Clay,  at  the  west  part  of  the 
town,  was  struck  by  lightning  on  the  8th  of  August  and 
burned  to  the  ground  with  most  of  its  contents.  A  horse  was 
gotten  out  by  a  young  lady.  The  barn,  hay,  etc.,  were  in- 
sured the  week  before.  The  lightning  struck  in  many  places 
during  the  shower,  shivering  trees,  telegraph  posts,  etc. 

Mr.  William  Brown,  of  this  place,  was  struck  by  the  engine 
at  South  Reading  the  29th  of  January.  He  was  taken  to  the 
hospital  in  Boston,  where  he  died  the  next  day,  aged  fifty 
years. 

The  town  contains  eight  hundred  and  sixty  inhabitants. 
There  were  twenty  births,  seven  marriages,  and  fifteen  deaths 
during  the  year. 


246  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

1 86 1.  During  the  present  season  there  has  been,  and  is 
to  be,  a  course  of  lectures  at  the  Central  Church,  the  pro- 
ceeds to  go  towards  an  organ  for  the  church.  Among  the 
lecturers  were  Rev.  A.  L.  Stone  of  Boston,  afterward  of 
California ;  Rev.  Daniel  March,  D.  D.,  of  Woburn,  and 
others,  including  Wendell  Phillips,  Esq.  During  the  last  year 
there  were  twenty  births,  seven  marriages,  and  fifteen  deaths. 

Rev.  William  C.  Whitcomb  went  to  Washington  to  attend 
the  inaugural  of  President  Lincoln,  who  was  a  distant  relative 
of  his. 

The  expenses  for  the  town  the  past  year  were  ^1,080.45  ; 
the  town  debt  was  $117.04  ;  the  largest  tax  paid  was  $557.61, 
on  $100,200,  by  Capt.  Henry  Bancroft. 

July  4,  Independence  day,  was  duly  celebrated  by  ringing 
of  bells,  etc.  The  principal  feature  of  the  day  was  the  flag 
raising  and  services  connected  therewith.  A  liberty  pole  had 
been  placed  upon  the  Common,  the  first  one  that  ever  was 
there,  and  the  ladies  had  made  in  the  old  town  hall  the  flag 
that  was  to  float  from  its  top. 

1863.  At  the  annual  meeting  in  March  the  citizens  voted 
to  give  $100  bounty  to  the  volunteers  who  had  enlisted  before 
bounties  were  given;  also  $150  to  the  families  of  the  late 
John  P.  Mead,  who  fell  in  the  defence  of  his  country,  and 
George  W.  Palmer,  who  died  in  a  Virginia  hospital. 

The  13th  of  March  was  an  exceedingly  cold  day,  ther- 
mometer twenty  degrees  below  zero. 

April  9.  A  singular  phenomenon  appeared  in  the  heavens  : 
an  arch  somewhat  like  the  northern  lights  extended  from  east 
to  west  for  about  an  hour,  commencing  at  eight  o'clock  in  the 
evening. 

A  hurricane  passed  through  here  on  the  second  day  of 
June,  commencing  about  nine  o'clock,  bwt  passed  without 
serious  damage,  blowing  bricks  from  chimneys,  scuttles  from 
roofs,  breaking  limbs  from   trees,  raising   clouds  and  whirl- 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  247 

winds  of  dust.     After  the  blow  a  slight   sprinkle  occurred ; 
then  a  bright  rainbow  spanned  the  horizon. 

A  double  wedding  took  place  at  the  Central  Church, 
Thursday,  June  i8,  that  of  James  M.  Barnard  of  Boston  and 
Miss  Ellen  M.  Whittredge,  and  Col.  Thomas  E.  Barker  of  the 
Twelfth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers  and  Miss  Elzina  F. 
Whittredge ;  the  brides  both  sisters,  and  daughters  of  William 
A.  Whittredge  of  Lynnfield.     The  house  was  crowded. 

1864.  We  copy  from  the  report  of  this  year  the  notice  of 
the  town  from  the  pen  of  John  Danforth,  Esq.,  at  that  time  the 
chairman  of  the  selectmen,  "  comparing  the  present  with  the 
past  history"  : — 

"On  the  28th  day  of  February,  1814,  ^^  act  passed  the  Legislature  of 
this  Commonwealth,  incorporating  the  district  of  Lynnfield  into  a  town 
by  the  name  of  Lynnfield. 

"  In  that  year  there  were  less  than  one  hundred  voters  in  the  town;  of 
that  number  ^en  are  now  living  in  the  town.  That  year  the  whole 
amount  of  money  assessed  for  State,  county,  and  town  taxes  was  only 
^1,105.56.  Of  this  sum  ^104.00  was  the  State  tax,  ;^I02,33  ^^^  county 
tax,  the  balance  being  expended  for  town  purposes,  including  the  support 
of  schools  for  that  year.  The  past  year,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  preceding 
report,  the  sum  assessed  for  the  same  purposes  was  ^5,600.12,  the  State 
tax  alone  being  ^1,536.00,  several  hundred  dollars  more  than  all  the  taxes 
at  the  former  period.  The  largest  tax  then  paid  by  one  person  or  estate 
was  ^28.75.  This  tax  was  paid  on  the  Orne  estate,  and  one  person 
then  occupying  a  part  of  said  estate  as  tenant  and  paying  a  tax  of  only 
;^4.oo  is  still  living  in  town  and  the  past  year  paid  a  tax  of  $962.08,  being 
nearly  as  much  as  the  whole  sum  assessed  in  town  fifty  years  ago. 

"  A  marked  improvement  in  town  during  the  half-century  just  closed  is 
apparent  in  many  respects,  and  in  none  is  it  more  visible  perhaps  than  in 
the  appearance  of  the  buildings,  nearly  one  half  the  dwelling-houses,  to- 
gether with  new  schoolhouses  in  each  district,  having  been  built  within 
the  period  named,  and  the  larger  part  of  the  whole  number  are  now 
painted,  presenting  a  striking  contrast  with  the  former  time  when  there 
were  but  a  few  painted  buildings  in  town, 

"  The  same  improvement  also  may  be  seen  in  the  condition  of  our  public 
roads  as  compared  with  what  it  was  formerly.     The  entire  length  of  the 


248  HISTORY    OF    THE   TOWN 

public  roads  in  town  is  about  twenty  miles,  the  larger  part  having  been 
widened  and  straightened  and  otherwise  generally  improved.  Thus  it 
will  be  seen  that  while  the  growth  of  the  town  has  been  small  yearly  and 
hardly  perceptible  at  times,  yet  in  the  course  of  half  a  century  it  has 
steadily  increased  in  population,  wealth,  and  general  prosperity. 

"  It  has  always  been  the  policy  of  the  people  in  their  corporate  capacity 
to  be  free  from  debt.  But  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  present  great  Re- 
bellion the  people  of  the  town,  actuated  by  a  spirit  of  the  purest  loyalty 
and  ever  ready  to  uphold  the  good  government  inherited  from  the  fathers, 
manifested  their  readiness  to  crush  the  traitorous  power  by  furnishing 
their  quota  of  men  under  all  calls  upon  them  by  the  government.  To  our 
volunteers  the  town  has  paid  the  sum  of  ^4,350  in  addition  to  the  bounties 
paid  by  the  State  and  general  governments,  thereby  causing  the  small 
debt  that  exists  at  the  present  time. 

"  Since  the  incorporation  of  the  town  the  duties  of  its  officers  have  been 
ever  increasing,  but  in  no  year  have  the  labors  of  the  selectmen  been  so 
great  as  in  the  past,  owing  mainly  to  the  existing  war.  But  all  duties  have 
been  made  more  easy  from  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  we  are  receiving 
the  co-operation  of  our  fellow-citizens." 

1865.  A  long  block  of  ice  houses  was  burned  at  Suntaug 
Lake  on  the  nth  of  February.  They  had  just  been  filled  for 
the  season. 

The  town  at  its  annual  meeting  voted  to  raise  $1,500 
toward  paying  off  its  debt.  The  amount  raised  the  year  be- 
fore was  $1,000  for  the  same  purpose. 

On  Friday,  March  17,  Emeline,  only  daughter  of  Seth 
Merrow,  fell  from  a  footbridge  while  crossing  Ipswich  River 
during  a  heavy  wind  and  was  drowned. 

A  tenement  house  belonging  to  Joel  Hewes  was  burned 
about  twelve  o'clock  on  Thursday,  30th  of  March.  At  the  time 
it  was  unoccupied. 

On  the  morning  of  Saturday,  April  15,  the  country  was 
shocked  to  learn  that  the  noble  President,  Abraham  Lincoln, 
had  been  assassinated  by  J.  Wilkes  Booth,  a  sympathizer  of 
the  rebels,  at  Ford's  Theatre  in  Washington  the  night  before, 
and   that  his  spirit  had  already  passed  away.     All   the   bells 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  249 

were  tolled,  flags  were  at  half  mast,  and  houses  were  dressed  with 
the  emblems  of  mourning.  The  Central  Church  was  draped  in 
white  and  black,  sides,  gallery,  pulpit,  while  behind  the  latter 
was  the  national  flag  draped  in  mourning.  Impressive  ser- 
vices were  held  the  next  day,  and  also  at  noon  of  the  next 
Wednesday,  which  were  largely  attended. 

On  Sunday,  May  13,  a  former  citizen  of  this  town  came 
riding  and  announced  the  gratifying  fact  that  Jeff'erson  Davis, 
president  of  the  so-called  Confederate  States,  had  been  cap- 
tured. The  flag  on  the  Common  was  run  up,  prayers  in 
divine  service  were  offered  in  thankfulness.  The  next  day 
bells  were  rung,  every  flag  was  blowing  at  the  top  of  the  mast, 
and  many  a  pun  was  let  off"  at  the  arch  rebel's  expense,  and  of 
his  costume  ;  and  during  the  summer,  not  far  from  the  Central 
depot,  was  an  effigy  of  him  standing  to  scare  the  crows  from  the 
corn. 

The  death  rate  of  last  year  was  very  large.  The  whole 
number  recorded  on  the  town  books  for  1864  was  a  total  of 
27.  Four  of  the  number  were  soldiers,  viz.,  Jonas  P.  Barden, 
died  June  25,  aged  21  years;  Benjamin  W.  Parsons,  died 
Aug.  14,  aged  28  years;  Henry  A.  Hewes,  died  Oct.  3,  aged 
30  years  ;  George  \V.  Wiley,  died  Dec.  18,  aged  25  years.  Of 
those  who  died  eight  were  seventy  years,  and  the  oldest, 
Mrs.  Mercy  R.  Swinerton,  was  92. 

1869.  A  heavy  gale  passed  through  here  on  the  8th  of 
September,  accompanied  with  a  pelting  rain.  The  trees  in 
large  numbers  were  uprooted ;  outhouses,  barns,  sheds, 
chimneys,  and  fences  were  blown  to  the  ground,  as  well  as 
cornfields  and  shrubs,  beside  windows  and  doors  being 
broken.  The  loss  to  towns  in  this  vicinity,  particularly 
churches,  was  very  large,  while  a  number  of  vessels  were 
wrecked  upon  the  coast. 

On  the  5  th  of  September  twelve  persons  were  baptized  at 
Humphrey's  Pond,  three  by  immersion  and  nine  by  sprinkling. 


250  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN 

This  summer  the  Common  was  filled  and  graded  by  Capt. 
Henry  Bancroft,  the  cost  being  about  ^1,500.  The  gravel 
was  donated  by  Jonathan  Bryant,  and  the  surveying  was 
performed  by  Rev.  Jacob  Hood. 

1875.  Table  of  aggregates :  Valuation  real  estate,  $438,- 
730;  valuation  personal  estate,  ^320,050:  total  valuation, 
$758,780.  Number  of  horses,  135;  number  of  cows,  272; 
number  of  licensed  dogs,  50;  acres  of  land  taxed,  5,349. 

Census  1875.  Population,  769;  males,  362;  females, 
407;  ratable  polls,  224;  legal  voters,  186;  number  of 
families,  190;  dwelling-houses,  170;  dwellings  occupied, 
163  ;  unoccupied,  7. 

1876.  One  hundredth  anniversary  of  independence  or 
centennial  year,  an  account  of  which  will  not  be  wanting  for 
another  century.  Probably  the  Fourth  of  July  had  never  been 
so  extensively  and  generally  celebrated,  and  it  is  a  matter  of 
doubt  if  those  living  will  ever  see  it  so  earnestly  celebrated 
again.  It  caused  a  review  of  old  papers,  old  furniture,  old 
clothes,  manners,  and  old  houses,  and  many  a  memorandum 
was  kept  on  account  of  the  century  being  closed. 

The  Fourth  of  July  aforesaid  was  celebrated  with  all  the 
fervor  possible.  People  flocked  to  the  centennial,  carrying 
ancient  relics.  Among  them  from  Lynnfield,  Samuel  Adams's 
shoe  buckles,  also  old  silver  spoons.  Some  people  went  on 
their  wedding  tours. 

1880.     The  area  of  the  town  has  never  been  crowded,  and 
there  are  about  5,300  acres  of  land,  tillage,  mowing  meadow, 
woodland,  and  pasture.     The    pasture    land  covers  the  most 
acres,  next  the  meadow,  then  wood. 
The  population  of  the  town  in 

1790     .......       was     491 

1800 "       468 

1810     ......."       509 

1820     ......."       596 


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OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS. 


251 


1830 
1840 
1850 
i860 
1870 
1880 
1890 


The  table  of  aggregates  for  1880  :  — 

Total  number  of  polls  . 

Tax  on  each  poll 

Total  value  of  personal  estate 

Total  value  of  real  estate 

Total  valuation,  May  i,  1880 

Total  tax  for  T  880 

Rate  on  ^1,000    . 

Total  number  of  horses 

Total  number  of  cows 

Total  number  of  dwelling-houses 

Total  number  of  acres  of  land 


svas  6 1 7 

707 

1,723 

866 

818 

686 

787 

• 

197 

. 

^2.00 

^106, 

016.00 

^455 

012.00 

$561. 

028.00 

^5 

443-63 

• 

$9.00 

139 

■ 

346 

162 

» 

5,360 

1887.  The  number  of  deaths  in  town  this  year  recorded 
by  the  town  clerk  was  twelve  ;  of  marriages,  eight ;  of  births, 
seventeen. 

1888.  During  the  town  year  ending  March  i,  the  town 
paid  for  debt  and  interest  the  sum  of  ^1,796. 

This  year  the  streets  of  the  town  were  named,  as  follrws  : 
Main,  Central,  Lowell,  Chestnut,  Salem,  Howard,  Arlington, 
Forest  Hill  Avenue,  Broadway,  Walnut,  South  Common, 
Summer,   Essex,   Union. 


Table  of  aggregates  for  1 890  : 

Total  number  of  polls 
Tax  on  each  poll 


220 
^2,00 


252  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

Total  value  of  personal  estate     .  .  ^88,900.00 

Total  value  of  real  estate  .         .         .         $512,462.00 

Total  valuation,  May  i,  1890     .  .         $601,362.00 

Total  tax  for  1890     .... 

Rate  on  $1,000         .... 

Total  number  of  horses 

Total  number  of  cows 

Total  number  of  dwelling-houses 

Total  number  of  acres  of  land    . 


$6,002.07 

$9.25 

184 

370 
177 

6,139 


LIBRARIES. 


The  first  public  library  in  Lynnfield  was  started  Nov.  27, 
1795,  and  was  a  noble  monument  to  its  founders.  The  first 
of  the  records,  reading  as  follows,  may  be  of  interest  in  this 
connection  :  — 

"That  the  rational  amusement  and  important  advantage 
to  be  derived  from  reading  judicious  and  well-selected 
authors  may  be  enjoyed,  it  is  proposed  to  establish  in 
this  place  a  library  company  or  society  upon  the  follow- 
ing principles,  viz. :  — 

"  First,  the  said  company  shall  consist  of  at  least  twenty- 
five  shares. 

'*  Second,  upon  each  share  shall  be  assessed  the  sum  of  two 
dollars. 

"Third,  as  soon  as  the  subscription  shall  be  full,  a  meeting  of 
the  subscribers  shall  be  held  to  form  such  regulations  for  the 
government  of  the  aforesaid  society  as  to  them  shall  appear 
best  adapted  to  promote  the  object  in  view." 

Beneath  these  rules  were  the  names  of  seventy  individuals 
of  the  days  of  yore. 

The  library  after  many  years  became  old-fashioned,  but  was 
a  welcome  boon  to  generations  of  the  original  owners.  The 
selection  and  additions  in  after  years  reflect  much  credit  on 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  253 

those  who  made  them.  The  list  of  donors  is  not  long, 
but  the  shareholders  did  not  seem  to  hesitate  to  be  taxed 
often  for  the  purpose  of  enlarging  the  aforesaid  library.  The 
books  were  covered  as  if  to  last  five  hundred  years.  The 
officers  of  the  society,  which  was  to  meet  quarterly,  were  : 
president,  treasurer,  librarian,  clerk,  collector,  and  a  com- 
mittee. One  of  the  rules  adopted  was  that  the  books  should 
be  kept  within  a  mile  of  the  meeting-house.  The  library  was 
always  known  as  the  Lynnfield  Social  Library. 

For  many  years  the  clerk  of  the  society  was  the  Rev. 
Joseph  Moltey,  and  by  him  the  records  were  beautifully  kept, 
and  evince  great  interest  in  affairs  by  that  gentleman,  who,  by 
such  writings,  has  greatly  gratified  generations  he  never  saw. 

The  house  containing  the  library  was  burned  in  1879,  and 
thus  ended  the  library  in  smoke,  which  we  heartily  wish  had 
been  preserved  in  the  Essex  Institute  at  Salem. 

The  next  library  of  a  public  character  was  the  Lyceum 
Library,  which  came  into  existence  in  1835.  A  lyceum  had 
been  formed,  and  one  of  its  purposes  was  to  collect  a  library. 
This  library  was  kept  in  many  places,  till  finally  it  was  merged 
in  the  old  Social  Library,  formed  forty  years  before,  and  was 
burned  with  the  house  in  which  both  of  them  were  deposited. 

The  two  libraries  contained  quite  an  assortment  of  books. 
The  Social  had  many  biographies,  and  ancient  histories. 
The  books  were  covered  with  leather,  and  looked  as  if 
they  might  last  for  ages,  while  the  other  library  was  more 
modern  in  every  respect.  The  two  were  a  grand  start  if 
they  could  have  been  preserved  for  the  free  public  library 
of  to-day,  and  it  is  with  regret  that  many  think  of  their 
sudden  cremation,  although  it  is  said  that  measures  had  been 
taken  for  the  better  preservation  of  these  legacies  of  other 
days. 

The  next  public  library  was  the  Agricultural,  which  came 
into    being  about   1850.     This  was   nicely   gotten  up,  being 


2  54  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN 

owned  in  shares,  and  the  books  still  are  before  the  public. 
They  were  merged  in  the  library  of  the  Lynnfield  Library 
Association,  which  was  started  in  1889  by  George  H.  Ban- 
croft, Starr  Parsons,  and  others,  and  was  given,  amounting 
to  three  hundred  books,  to  the  town  Public  Library. 

This  was  opened  July  22,  1892,  in  the  town  hall.  At  the 
time  there  were  five  hundred  and  fifty-four  books.  It  now 
numbers  one  thousand.  Miss  Elizabeth  W.  Green  has  been 
librarian  from  the  opening. 


LEGAL    OFFICERS.  PARISH,    DISTRICT,    AND    TOWN    CLERKS. 

Ezekiel  Gowing,  1752,  1753,  1755,  i756. 
James  Wiley,  1754. 

Natha'll  Bancroft,  1757,  1758,  1762.  1764,  1771-1773. 
Nath'll  Sherman,  1760,  1761,  1765,  1786. 
Benjamin  Brown,  1766. 

John  Bryant,   1767,    1768,   1776-1778,  1781,  1782,  1785 
1787,  1789. 

John  Perkins,  1769,  1774,  1775,  1783,  1784,  1788,  1789. 

Thomas  Townsend,  1770. 

James  Bancroft,  1779,  1780- 

John  Burnham,  1 790-1 792. 

Benjamin  Adams,  1 793-1804. 

Daniel  Needham,  1805,  1806. 

Jona.  Merriam,  1807-18 10. 

John  Orne,  1811,  1812. 

John  Upton,  1813-1817,  1832. 

Andrew  Mansfield,  1818-1822. 

Bowman  Viles,  1823-1831,  1833. 

Andrew  Mansfield,  1834-1836,  1841,  1843. 

Joshua  Hewes,  1 837-1 840,  1842. 

John  Perkins,  1844-185 6. 


OF   LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  255 

John  Daiiforth,  185  7-1876. 
Francis  P.  Russell,  187 7-1 892. 
Ebenezer  Parsons,  1893,  1894. 

TREASURERS. 

Ebenezer  Bancroft,  1753,  1758. 

Daniel  Mansfield,    1754,    1756,   1757,    1 760-1 764,    1769, 
1782. 

Nath'll  Bancroft,   1765,    1774,    1 776-1 781,    1783,    1785- 

1787. 
Joseph  Newhall,  1 766-1 768. 
Joseph  Gowing,  1770-1773. 
John  Orne,  1775. 
Nath'll  Sherman,  1788. 
John  Upton,  1789. 
John  Hawkes,  1790,  1791,  1805. 
John  Perkins,  1792-1804. 
Samuel  Aborn,  1806-1822. 
Daniel  Needham,  1823. 
Andrew  Mansfield,  1 824-1 834. 
Daniel  Mansfield,  1836. 
Matthew  Cox,  1837. 
Henry  Bancroft,  1 839-1 841. 
Joshua  Hewes,  1842-1859. 
Jonathan  Bryant,  1860-1868. 
William  R.  Roundy,  1869-1884. 
John  M.  Danforth,  1885-1892. 
Frank  Hart,  1893,  1894. 

SELECTMEN. 

John  Bryant,  1782. 

Nath'll  Sherman,  1782,  17S6,  1789,  1793,  i794- 

Thomas  Townsend,  1782. 


256  HISTORY    OF   THE     TOWN 

John  Perkins,  1783,  1784,  1787,  1789. 
Daniel  Mansfield,  1783. 
Timothy  Munroe,  1784,  1785,  1892. 

John  Hawkes,  1784,  1785,  1788,   1793-1802,   1807,   1808. 
Jonathan  Tarbell,  1783,  1786,  1789. 
John  Upton,  1786,  1787. 
John  Burnham,  1787,  1788,  1790-1792. 
Benjamin  AdamF,  1 790-1 804. 
Daniel  Mansfield,  1 795-1 802,  1805,  1806. 
John  Upton,  1803,  1804,  1810-1817,  1824,  1832. 
John  Orne,  1805,  1806,  181 1,  181 2. 

Andrew    Mansfield,    1803-1806,    181 2-1822,    1833-1836, 
1841,  1843. 

Jonathan  Merriam,  1 807 -1 809. 
Benjamin  Wiley,  1807-1810,  1818-1820. 
Noah  Newhall,  1809,  18 10. 
Jonathan  Tarbell,  1809. 
Wright  Newhall,  1813-181  7. 
Charles  Richardson,  18 18. 
Asa  T.  Newhall,  1819,  1820. 
Bowman  Viles,  182 1-1833. 
John  Bryant,  1821-1823. 
Josiah  Newhall,  1823-1826. 
John  Aborn,  1825,  1826. 

Daniel  Mansfield,  1827-1830,  1832,  1837,  1854,  1855. 
Jesse  Tapley,  1827-1830. 
Jacob  Wiley,  1831. 
Moses  Richardson,  1833-1836. 
Joshua  Hewes,  1832,  183 7-1 840,  1842. 
.  John  Perkins,  1834-1837,  1841-1854,  1856. 
Enoch  Russell,  1838-1840,  1842-1846. 
David  Swasey,  1 838-1 840. 
George  F.  Whittredge,  1841,  1847-185 1. 
Benjamin  Moulton,  1 844-1 848. 


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OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  257 

John  Danforth,  185  2-1 876. 
Aaron  Nevvhall,  1 849-1 853,  185 7-1859. 
Benjamin  U.  Preston,  1856. 
Joseph  Smith,  185 7-1 859. 

Andrew  Mansfield,   1860-1864,   1S66,   1867,    1875,   1876, 
1890-1894. 
WilHam  Skinner,  1861-1864,  1866,  1870-1872. 
John  H.  Perkins,  186 7-1 869. 
George  L.  Hawkes,  1868-18 7 2,  1874,  1875. 
Henry  E.  Smith,  1875,  1S76. 
Joseph  S.  Moiilton,  1877. 
Seth  H.  Russell,  187 7-1 879. 
J.  S.  Drayton,  1877. 
Albert  Mansfield,  187 7-1883. 
David  F.  Parsons,  1 878-1 882. 
Joseph  T.  Bancroft,  1880,  1883-1885. 
Ebenezer  Parsons,  1881-1883. 
Henry  Law,  1884. 

Frank  Newhall,   1 884-1 889,  1 891-1894. 
John  M.  Danforth,  1 885-1 894. 
Francis  P.  Russell,  1 886-1 889. 
George  E.  Batchelder,  1890. 

REPRESENTATIVES . 

Gen.  Josiah  Newhall,  1826,  1827,  1844. 

Hon.  Asa  T.  Newhall,  1828. 

Bowman  Viles,  Esq.,  1832. 

John  Upton,  Jr.,  1833. 

Joshua  Hewes,  1885. 

John  Perkins,  Jr.,  1836. 

William  Perkins,  1837. 

David  N.  Swasey,  1840. 

James  Jackson,  1841. 

Joshua  Hewes,  1843. 


258  HISTORY    OF   THE    TOWN 

\ 

Enoch  Russell,  1844. 
William  Skinner,  Jr.,  1S50,  1851. 
John  Danforth,  Jr.,  1852,  1853. 
David  A.  Titcomb,  1856,  1857. 
George  L.  Hawkes,  1864. 
James  Hewes,  1868. 
William  R.  Roundy,  1873. 
Andrew  Mansfield,  1880. 
John  M.  Danforth,  1 891,  1892. 

POST-OFFICES. 

The  post-office  at  the  South  Village,  known  as  Lynnfield, 
is  the  oldest  in  town,  being  established  May  25,  1836,  with 
Theron  Palmer  as  its  first  postmaster.  Among  those  later 
are  Charles  Spinney,  James  W.  Church,  Henry  W.  Swasey, 
James  Jackson,  etc.  The  present  one  is  William  H.  Stevens, 
and  the  post-office  is  kept  at  the  depot  in  the  south  part  of 
the  town. 

The  post-office  at  Lynnfield  Centre  was  established  Aug.  i, 
1848.  Its  first  postmaster  was  George  F.  Whittredge.  Samuel 
N.  Newcomb,  Jonathan  Bryant,  Francis  P.  Russell,  and  others 
have  since  filled  the  office,  which  is  at  present  in  the  Centre 
depot,  with  Benjamin  T.  Brown  as  postmaster. 

It  is  a  satisfaction  to  know  that  our  town  is  represented 
beyond  its  own  narrow  borders.  That  large  cities  are  built 
up  by  the  small  villages  is  well  known. 

One  can  read  on  the  town  records  of  1842  of  the  birth  of 
Benjamin  Francis  Moulton.  Still  further  on  in  the  course  of 
time  we  find  him  studying  for  the  medical  profession,  and  at 
present  hear  of  him  as  successful  in  the  city  of  Lawrence. 

Another  native  of  this  place,  Benjamin  Downing,  a  well- 
remembered  person  who  used  to  play  the  organ  here,  has  for 


OF    LYNNFIELD,    MASS.  259 

years  been  a  resident  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  an  organist  in 
that  city. 

Among  those  who  left  this  place  in  war  time,  as  soldiers, 
we  recognize  two  who  have  settled  in  other  places,  Arthur  C. 
Richardson  of  Newburyport,  and  Samuel  H.  Mitchell  of 
Brighton,  and  both  ha^e  represented  their  adopted  homes  in 
the  Legislature. 

Lieut.  Benjamin  W.  Parsons,  who  has  been  spoken  of  as  a 
shoemaker,  we  have  since  learned  was  at  the  time  of  his 
enlistment  a  civil  engineer. 

There  are  others  who  have  gone  out  from  among  us  to  aid 
in  the  great  world's  activities,  to  whom  reference  might  be 
made  did  space  permit. 

Much  material  collected  for  this  history  the  author  has  been 
obliged  to  omit,  in  order  to  keep  it  within  the  prescribed 
limits. 

We  are  pleased  to  be  able  to  add  one  more  to  our  list  of 
annals:  Feb.  9,  1895.  A  long-distince  telephone  was  put 
into  the  store  of  Francis  P.  Russell  for  the  use  of  the  public, 
thus  putting  our  little  town  on  speaking  terms  with  the  wide, 
wide  world. 

Previous  to  this  a  telephone  had  been  placed  in  the  south 
part  of  the  town ;  it  was  afterward  withdrawn,  but  not  until  it 
had  been  of  service  in  calling  for  aid  from  the  firemen  of 
Peabody  at  the  burning  of  Lynnfield  Hotel. 


APPENDIX. 


LYNNFIELD. 

(from    an    essay   written    in    1888,    BY    NATHAN    M.    HAWKES.) 

Settlement. 

Lynnfield  was  a  part  of  Lynn  in  the  early  days,  and  was  settled  by 
some  of  those  God-fearing  Puritans  who  abandoned  Old  England,  the 
dearest  spot  on  earth  to  them,  that  in  the  wilderness  they  might  enjoy 
freedom  of  conscience. 

Its  rich  soil,  its  wild  and  romantic  scenery,  its  beautiful  ponds,  and  its 
hills  clothed  with  dense  forests,  attracted  the  attention  of  the  first- 
comers. 

Its  distance  from  Lynn  made  it  desirable  to  have  a  more  convenient 
place  of  worship.  Lynnfield  was  set  off  as  a  parish,  or  district,  the  17th  of 
November,  171 2.  The  inhabitants  were  to  be  freed  from  parish  taxes  as 
soon  as  a  meeting-house  should  be  built  and  a  minister  settled. 

The  people  of  Lynnfield  are  called  in  the  Lynn  town  records,  "  our 
neighbors,  the  farmers." 

This  was  the  beginning  of  its  separate  local  and  legal  establishment. 

In  1 71 5  the  first  meeting-house  was  built,  and  the  second  parish  en- 
tered upon  a  career  of  usefulness,  the  results  of  which  influence  and  per- 
meate the  whole  community,  even  to  this  day. 

Puritan  Customs. 

An  especially  interesting  fact  as  illustrating  the  tenacity  and  the  rigor 
of  the  institutions  founded  by  the  followers  of  Winthrop  has  been  called  to 
my  attention  by  Mr.  John  M.  Danforth,  the  chairman  of  the  selectmen. 


262  APPENDIX. 

Church  and  State  were  so  intimately  blended  in  the  early  days  that  seats 
in  the  church  were  assigned  in  town  meeting,  and  the  town  meetings  were 
held  in  the  church.  This  combined  church  and  meeting-house  invariably 
stood  in  the  centre  of  the  village  upon  an  open  place  called  the  green. 
Mr.  Danforth  writes  us  that  "  the  genuine  Puritan  meeting-house  is  still 
standing  on  the  green  at  the  centre,  and  the  lower  part  is  still  used  as  a 
town  hall."  After  all  these  years  the  good  people  yet  worship  and  legis- 
late under  one  roof. 

In  1 8 14  it  became  a  town  by  its  present  name. 

Native  Population. 

Its  soil  is  even  now  largely  occupied  by  the  descendants  of  the  sturdy 
pioneers.  These  and  families  of  leisure  and  refinement  who  have  sought 
out  the  place  constitute  an  ideal  New  England  town. 

It  is  absolutely  free  from  the  evils  and  annoyances  (which  it  is  needless 
to  name)  that  follow  in  the  train  of  manufacturing. 

Railroads. 

Quiet  and  secluded,  it  yet  has  two  lines  of  railroad,  landing  passengers 
at  their  Boston  terminus  in  Haymarket  Square,  distant  twelve  miles. 

Within  its  extended  territorial  borders  there  is  no  licensed  or  unlicensed 
tippling  house. 

Ponds. 

Suntaug  Lake,  upon  its  eastern  boundary,  a  large,  natural  pond  with  a 
beautiful  island  in  its  centre,  is  one  of  the  fairest  inland  sheets  of  water 
that  the  eye  ever  looked  upon. 

Westerly  is  another  pond  that  is  the  resort  of  the  disciples  of  Izaak 
Walton.  Upon  its  banks  is  a  primeval  forest  untouched  by  the  rude 
woodman's  axe.  Its  outlet  is  the  stream  that  furnished  the  power  to 
grind  the  corn  and  saw  the  boards  of  the  town  and  for  the  old  Adam 
Hawkes  woollen  mill.  The  same  stream  now  grinds  apples  into  cider  for 
Gerry,  and  goes  on  turning  wheels  on  Saugus  River  till  it  reaches  old 
ocean. 

The  waters  of  Suntaug  work  their  passage  to  the  ocean  by  way  of  the 
Ipswich  River. 

The  two  make  a  perfect  system  of  draining  for  the  town, —  a  system 
kindly  given  by  a  higher  power  instead  of  bought  by  man. 


APPENDIX.  263 

Churches  and  Schools. 

It  has  Congregational,  Unitarian,  and  Methodist  churches. 

Its  schools  are  the  plain,  well-kept,  well-supported  common  schools, 
which  have  bred  the  brain  and  sinew  of  New  England  from  the  day  our 
fathers  landed  on  these  shores. 

It  has  two  post-offices,  but  not  one  almshouse. 

It  has  so  far  escaped  the  craze  to  turn  our  climate  into  that  of  the  sunny 
South  by  putting  the  chimney  on  the  outside  of  the  house. 

The  houses  are  mostly  substantial,  square,  and  white,  facing  the  south, 
true  as  the  dial,  which  the  modern  aesthetic  rejects,  but  which  are  dear  to 
all  who  reverence  the  good  old  days. 

Turnpike. 

The  Newburyport  Turnpike  is  perhaps  the  longest  straight  road  in  New 
England.  Its  promoters  boasted  that  they  would  build  it  so  that  a  person 
standing  on  High  Street,  Newburyport,  could  see  the  whole  way  to  Charles- 
town  Square,  something  like  forty  miles  away.  Of  course  they  did  not 
quite  accomplish  this  achievement,  but  they  came  as  near  to  it  as  was 
possible. 

On  the  line  of  this  pike  stood  the  once  noted  hostelry,  known  then  and 
now  as  the  Lynnfield  Hotel.  In  the  stage-coaching  days  the  immense 
coach  yard  was  a  lively  place,  when  the  four  and  six  horse  coaches  arrived 
or  departed. 

And  many  a  merry  sleighing  party  from  all  the  neighboring  regions 
made  the  welkin  ring  with  song  and  laughter.  The  old  house  and  the  old 
road  remain,  but  the  new  ways  are  not  like  the  old,  and  grass  grows  in  the 
coach  yard  where  the  Tony  Wellers  of  old  Essex  once  held  high  carnival. 

Population. 

The  population  is  about  750,  and  is,  as  I  may  have  said  elsewhere,  ho- 
mogeneous, which  means  in  this  case  native. 

The  tax  rate  for  the  present  year  is  Si 3  per  $1,000,  although  it  has  not 
been  over  $9  for  ten  years,  and  probably  will  not  be  above  that  rate  next 
year.  The  increase  is  due  to  the  fact  that  the  town  proposes  to  owe  no 
man  anything,  and  hence  will  pay  in  full  its  debts  of  perhaps  $1,300. 

Having  no  institutions  for  making  tramps  or  paupers,  it  spends  no 
money  for  police,  courts,  or  lawyers.  Hence  with  a  low  rate  of  taxation 
it  provides  liberally  for  its  roads  and  schools,  which  in  this  phenomenally 
well-managed  town  are  practically  all  the  items  for  which  taxes  are  levied. 


264  APPENDIX. 

The  town  reports  show  its  affairs  to  be  managed  by  individuals  of  cer- 
tain names,  such  as  Mansfield,  Danforth,  Bancroft,  Hewes,  Perkins,  Her- 
rick,  Newhall,  Roundy,  Gerry,  Hawkes.  Look  back  and  the  same  names 
appear,  but  they  are  the  fathers  or  the  grandfathers  of  the  present  holders 
of  the  names. 

The  register  of  deaths  of  last  year  is  a  remarkable  record.  Two  died 
in  infancy,  two  in  youth,  and  the  others,  ten  in  number,  reached  a  com- 
bined age  of  795  years,  an  average  of  ygh  years. 

Seventeen  marriages  were  registered  in  the  same  period,  and  the  birth- 
place of  the  few  who  were  not  American  born  was  English. 

The  birthplace  of  every  father  and  mother  of  every  child  born  in  the 
year  in  the  few  exceptional  cases  not  American  was  English. 

With  such  a  record  we  can  afford  to  have  even  the  Col.  Matthew  Cox 
estate  and  the  old  house  where  the  victims  of  the  Lexington  fight  were 
cared  for  improved,  when  such  good  citizens  as  the  president  of  the  Society 
for  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to  Animals  becomes  the  improvers. 

Sanitary. 

From  the  sanitary  point  of  view  it  yields  the  palm  to  no  other  place. 
Upon  a  high  plateau  within  a  few  miles  of  the  ocean,  it  is  as  completely 
sheltered  from  the  dreaded  east  wind  as  a  town  in  New  Hampshire. 

The  east  wind  is  shorn  of  its  chill  and  its  threats  by  the  hills  that  lie  be- 
tween the  town  and  Lynn. 

These  hills  are  covered  by  the  great  Lynn  forest,  which  reaches  into 
our  town,  and  are  crowned  by  magnificent  groves  largely  of  white  pines. 

(Changes  that  have  taken  place  since  the  above  was  written  have  been 
noted  elsewhere.) 


APPENDIX.  265 

Lynnfield  has  no  High  School,  l)ut  many  of  its  scholars  have  stood  well 
in  advanced  schools  of  other  towns.  Miss  Pamela  Derby  has  just  won 
(1895)  t^^  ^""^^  prize  in  declamation  for  Wakefield  High  School,  of  which 
she  is  a  member,  in  the  Oratorical  League  Contest,  where  several  high 
schools  were  represented. 

We  insert  the  following  poem  by  a  Lynnfield  scholar : — 

CHRYSEIS. 

By  Starr  Parsons. 
First  Prize  (^Boston  Latin  School),  Jtme,  1887. 

In  the  old,  old  days 

When  Jupiter's  praise 
Was  sounded  by  every  tongue, 

When  heroes  divine 

With  altar  and  shrine 
Were  worshipped  by  old  and  young, 

A  holy  seer, 

To  Phcebus  dear. 
Oft  the  Archer's  praises  sung. 

When  his  task  was  o'er. 

At  the  temple  door 
Each  evening  his  daughter  found; 

The  beautiful  maid 

For  her  father  stayed, 
Her  tresses  with  wild  flowers  crowned; 

One  sad  day  came 

The  daughter's  name 
In  vain  the  forests  resound. 

For  the  cruel  Greek, 

Like  the  north-wind  l)leak. 
Had  blighted  that  joyt)US  ho)ne; 

And  the  grieving  sire 

Left  the  sacred  fire 
O'er  many  a  league  to  roam; 

And  jewels  rare 

He  carried  there 
Through  the  fierce  sky-lashing  foam. 


266  APPENDIX. 

To  a  distant  land 
The  plundering  band 

Had  carried  the  frightened  maid, 
A  ransom  rare, 
The  priest  brought  there, 

And  the  haughty  king  he  prayed; 
"Though  you  offered  thrice 
It  would  not  suffice," 

The  cruel  chieftan  said. 


From  the  barren  shore, 
Where  the  wild  waves  roar, 

His  prayer  to  Phoebus  rose; 
The  god  in  his  wrath 
O'er  the  lightning's  path 

Came  down  'gainst  his  mortal  foes; 
At  his  behest 
A  blighting  pest 

Through  the  Grecian  army  goes. 

Oh,  the  fearful  scourge 

The  Greeks  to  purge 
Imposed  by  the  Archer-God  ! 

Oh,  the  awful  blight 

As  it  met  the  sight, 
Where  corses  covered  the  sod  ! 

At  the  break  of  day 

The  heroes  lay 
In  the  dust  they  late  had  trod. 

With  clamorings  loud 

A  thickening  crowd 
Round  the  monarch's  dwelling  press; 

At  the  door  of  the  tent 

They  cry,  "  Oh,  consent, 
And  Phoebus  once  more  will  bless  !'' 

His  eyes  flash  fire 

With  vengeance  dire, 
Yet  he  yields  to  their  sore  distress. 


APPENDIX.  267 

Now  they  launch  a  ship 

A.nd  the  oars  they  dip 
In  the  vast  and  barren  sea; 

And  on  board  they  bear 

An  offering  fair, 
Oh,  Phoebus,  bright  for  thee  ! 

The  maid  they  lead 

To  the  ocean  steed, 
Once  more  unloosed  and  free ! 

And  they  take  her  back 

In  the  east-wind's  track 
Where  the  billows  are  capped  with  foam. 

And  the  joyful  priest 

Prepares  a  feast 
'Neath  the  temple's  lofty  dome. 

And  grace  he  seeks 

For  the  contrite  Greeks 
Who  have  brought  his  daughter  home. 

Apollo  hears 

With  willing  ears, 
And  men  the  story  tell 

That  with  radiant  flight 

He  sought  the  height 
Where  the  great  immortals  dwell; 

And  from  his  lyre, 

'Mid  the  heavenly  choir, 
The  silvery  music  fell. 

In  closing  this  book  the  author  would  say,  that,  while  he  is  conscious  of 
many  shortcomings  that  a  wider  knowledge  and  experience  would  have 
prevented,  he  would  fain  hope  he  has  succeeded  in  gathering  and  preserv- 
ing some  incidents  in  the  life  and  progress  of  the  town  which  will  be  of 
interest  to  the  reader. 

If  the  book  shall  give  as  much  pleasure  in  the  reading  as  it  has  given 
the  author  in  the  writing  thereof,  he  will  be  more  than  satisfied.  At  any 
rate  the  summers  and  winters  of  his  labor  are  over,  and  with  the  genial 
season  that  gives  expression  to  Nature's  pent-up  forces,  his  labors  find  also 
their  expression  in  a  published  book. 


2  68  APPENDIX. 

The  following  sonnet,  as  fitting  to  the  season,  is  selected  as  its  closing 
'  words : — 

SPRING. 

By  E.  Parsons. 

A  QUEENLY  presence  walks  the  earth  and  sky, 

Unseen,  unheard,  yet  with  a  stately  tread 

That  thrills  the  clod  and  wakes  the  slumbering  dead. 

No  warlike  following  hers,  no  battle-cry; 

Yet  see  the  oppressor's  host  before  her  fly ! 

Behold  Orion  bows  his  haughty  head. 

And  all  the  stars  a  kindlier  splendor  shed. 

And  storm-winds  hide  them  in  the  zephyr's  sigh. 

See  troop  around  her  path  a  radiant  throng; 

Fair  Epigaea,  with  angelic  breath. 

Takes  up  the  glad  refrain,  "  There  is  no  death  !  " 

And  rapturous  voices  catch  the  joyous  song. 

The  heavy  silence  breaks  in  music  sweet 

Along  all  shores  where  tread  her  blessed  feet. 


^^    f  &^"0N  DEPART^.. 
H0A1EUSE 


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